Greater New Bedford Youth Alliance

EYE connects youth to their everyday surroundings by bicycle. As we bike around the south end peninsula, stopping to explore many exciting local sites, highly qualified instructors ensure that every opportunity is captured for 'learning in context.' Kids' input guides our adventures. E.Y.E. is always full of swimming, sports, and unforgettable experiences on weekly field trips.

Summer reading has never been cooler! Launched in 2017, this approach to continued summer learning is a fun way for youth to complete their summer reading assignments outdoors. With the company of others and intermittent breaks to go riding, were able to create opportunities for fun experiential learning.

This engaging experience introduces the basics of bicycle maintenance and repair, developing youth's life skills and confidence. Participants are taught by a trained bicycle mechanic and use modern equipment and tools, designed especially for working on bikes. Students build bikes from the frame up, leaving Y.O.U. ready to ride safely.

The Community Bike Shop provides access to bike repairs for the youth in our community. Youth are introduced to the hands-on skills needed to ride their bikes safely while providing work experience, and mentoring through apprenticeship. Participants and local youth gain hands-on experience working with professional tools, practicing techniques to problem solve on-the-go, and keep their bikes in working order.

Ride to exciting locations and explore! We visit local parks, beaches, bike paths, and historic places. We play outdoor games old and new, like 'bowling-on-the-green'! Explore and grow in our garden. Kids' natural curiosities lead this program and every ride is full of surprising discoveries.

Through hands-on workshops, kids acquire cooking skills, and an appreciation of healthy foods with the guidance of talented local chefs and community members. Every recipe can be replicated at home and is an opportunity for discovery. As we explore new recipes, children learn about the journey of food from soil to plate.

WIND programs offer unique opportunities to discover new skills and explore lifelong interests, with an intensive focus on the integration of STEAM. From LEGO Robotics and bee-keeping to carpentry and candle-making, WIND will make exploration fun and relevant.

Our garden is a place where we can stop in to grab ready-to-eat snacks while on an adventure. Every program (even in winter) gets some exposure to horticulture. Youth forge many connections: with the rhythms of nature, their home culture, academic lessons, and personal health. Tasting the rewards of local agriculture is an experience that makes quite an impression on just about every participant!

Several times a year, Y.O.U. leads Adventure Trips to exciting venues for Greater New Bedford youth. Some popular destinations include Marthas Vineyard, Cuttyhunk Island, local farms and so much more. Scholarships and financial aid are available.