One bike at a time, CYCLE—an acronym for Changing Young Lives through Education—is empowering young people. 7,500 bicycles will be given to students throughout Houston by the neighborhood nonprofit, which is dedicated to enhancing early literacy.
According to Executive Director Rebecca Roberts, local second-grade students who read below averagely set a goal with their teacher to improve their literacy at the start of the fall semester. At the end of the semester, CYCLE gives the student a bike if that objective is accomplished.
“As a society, we are responsible,” Roberts stated. We must do it. We must provide for these kids.
In 16 districts in the Houston area, 79 Title I schools provide the program.More than 180,000 bicycles have been given out by the foundation to second-graders who have met their literacy objectives.
Giving pupils the chance to win a bicycle teaches them that perseverance pays off, according to Roberts.
“They may have started at kindergarten level, but they might be at first-grade level in one semester,” she stated.
According to Roberts, a startling proportion of fourth-graders have literacy levels that are below average. She then started discussing with superintendents and principals which grade level to focus on for the campaign.
“They are learning to read in the second grade. “They really start reading to learn when they reach the third grade,” Roberts stated. “The Annie E. Casey Foundation will tell you that children who are not reading at grade level are very likely to drop out of school, not to go to college and therefore, they have very limited options in life.”
On Saturday, beginning at 7:30 a.m., volunteers will assemble at NRG Stadium to construct thousands of bicycles.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
