YOUR SUPPORT AT WORK New Bike Shop Happening in Nome In June we officially ‘broke ground’.
September 2022
BY JAMES VENTRESS
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For a few years now the Checkpoint Youth Ministries of Nome Covenant Church has been operating a youth bike shop in the community. It is a free bike shop where kids and their guardians can receive help fixing bikes, learn bike repair skills, and find parts from scrap bikes we rescue from the dump. The bike shop has been operating out of a single shipping container on a small lot owned by the church. There is no insulation, heat, electricity, or lighting. Even in this primitive state, we were amazed by the volume of community support and the variety of people we have been able to help. Donations of funds, used bikes, specialized tools, new bike parts, and lubricants were given by diverse individuals in Nome and from out of state.
As much fun as we were having fixing up bikes to keep kids riding, one thing was clear; we needed a larger and more functional space. The bike shop was only useful on clear days between May and September. Because most of the work happens outside, a rainy week in June means the shop is closed. A plan began to develop for a double-wide shipping container shop made of two containers welded together. Removing the adjacent interior walls would create a 16x20-foot space. Through some grants and letter
writing, we raised enough funds for a new connex and solicited the donation of another one. Also covered by grants and church funds were the foundation materials, insulation, electrical supplies, steel, and other materials. A design plan began to develop last winter. With the help of Arctic Barnabas, a volunteer team of experienced contractors committed their time and energy to make sure the new shop would be designed properly and would be assembled correctly. A structural engineer did the complicated calculations to make sure the roof would be strong enough to bear the snow load and meet international building codes. In June we officially “broke ground” and the work team of builders and welders arrived in Nome. In just a few days we had the foundation squared and level, the containers mounted on it, the walls removed and both halves welded together. Now that the shell is finished, we are putting the project to rest for the winter. The original plan was for electric heaters to heat the building but we are switching to a small energy efficient Toyostove oil heater. We will be doing some more fundraising for the stove, its fuel tank, and its installation. We will need warm weather additional
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults
weatherproofing and proper curing of the adhesives that will bind the rigid insulation to the walls and ceiling. In the meantime, we continue to praise God for all his provisions. Some being materials, skilled laborers, and the resources to provide this tool of blessing and service to the youth and families of Nome. Please continue to pray for this project and all who are touched by its construction or use.
CONTINUE YOUR IMPACT TODAY You are a part of the team that God has called together to impact youth and young adults in Alaska. Thank you! For more information how to make a gift, please follow the link below.
www.cyak.org/donate Website www.cyak.org Email info@cyak.org Phone 907-222-1432