About Spokes to Folks
“When people are crying with gratitude… where do you buy that?”, says Paul Leuty, professional bicycle mechanic, Director and Founder of Spokes to Folks, a bicycle repair service whose ministry through the Family Community Church reaches out to the homeless in San Jose. This amazing service has escalated so fast that other local organizations have contacted Spokes to Folks in hope of networking them right into their community resources system. Latara Williams, Community Resource Coordinator for the San Jose Parole Board has incorporated Spokes to Folks as one of her community resource opportunities. Another innovative and successful organization helping to break the “cycle” of homelessness and proverty, InnVision, has also included Spokes.
In November ‘09 Spokes to Folks relocated from the Oasis Club (which is scheduled for demolition) to the Salvation Army located at 405 North 4th Street, San Jose. “Every Saturday morning from 10:30am to 1pm we are moving as many bikes through as we can,” says Paul. “Our mission is to bring mechanical skill, tools, parts or bicycles to people when they are available. While we perform tune-ups and minor repairs, our biggest challenge is getting the front and rear breaks working safely.” “Our first goal is that others in the community might read about us and donate unwanted bikes or even join our volunteer base and help repair or prepare the bikes for distribution, says Pastor Bill Buchholz from Family Community Church.
Spokes to Folks began one week before Easter in April at the Oasis Club across from St. James Park in downtown San Jose where meals were served by the Family Community Church. Paul was called upon to say a prayer over the Saturday meal and he noticed that there were lots of bicycle riders. That same day three people came to him for repairs on their bikes. The service is growing so fast now that more volunteers and more bicycles have evolved in just a few months.
It is simple. People everywhere need help. They need the empowerment of a bicycle.