Shifting Gears: Diversity Networking Event Supports Local Bike Shops

PHILADELPHIA - April 4, 2013 - PRLog -- SHIFTING GEARS: DIVERSITY NETWORKING EVENT SUPPORTS LOCAL BIKE SHOPS

PHILADELPHIA, PA--- Connect to Advance Inc. (http://www.connecttoadvance.com), a multicultural networking company, will raise funds for Neighborhood Bike Works Inc. (http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org), a local non-profit educational organization, at their next business-networking event on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at the Hibachi Steakhouse at Penn’s Landing (http://www.hibachidining.com/philadelphia/index.html) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Earn A Bike (http://neighborhoodbikeworks.org/programs/earn-a-bike/) program that teaches under-served youth in Philadelphia how to build and repair their own bicycles using basic mechanical skills. Each year, Neighborhood Bike Works Inc. (http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org) (NBW) provides instruction to over 600 youth with 90 percent of programming free to participants.

In addition to the networking event, Connect to Advance (http://www.connecttoadvance.com) will raise money for their annual fundraiser, Ride of Dreams (http://www.rideofdreams.org/), where NBW graduates and adults ride over 250 miles in four days, and explore places far away from Philadelphia using their bicycles to get there.  

“Our biggest successes are when we see youth change the direction they are going as a result of our programs and start making positive changes in their lives,” says Erin Decou, Executive Director of Neighborhood Bike Works (http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.com).  

Last winter, Anthony, a 17-year-old high school student from West Philadelphia, had his bike stolen. Without a train pass and no other means of transportation, Anthony faced a five-mile walk to his school in North Philadelphia daily. He signed up for the Earn A Bike (http://neighborhoodbikeworks.org/programs/earn-a-bike/) class and graduated with both a bike and a reliable way to get to school. He will graduate this spring. Now 18, Anthony returns twice a week to teach younger children bike mechanics. NBW also helped Anthony get his first job as a sales representative at a local bike shop.

“I think we share a vision with Connect to Advance (http://www.connecttoadvance.com), in the sense that our programs are all about crossing boundaries and bringing a diverse group of people together.  We find that bicycles are an excellent vehicle for social change,” says Decou.

For more information on how to become an event sponsor for Connect to Advance (http://www.connecttoadvance.com), please contact Alton Fox (mailto:alton@connecttoadvance.com) at 302-562-5231. Purchase (http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5783680143) tickets today. Also, donate (http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/support-us/donate/) to Neighborhood Bike Works (http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.com), Ride of Dreams (http://www.rideofdreams.org/) or visit their retail bike shop in North Philly (http://neighborhoodbikeworks.org/locations/north-philadelphia/) for a tune-up or a new bike.

Connect to Advance Inc. (http://www.connecttoadvance.com) is the premier venue for professionals of all cultures to gather together, share ideas, exchange business and create strategic alliances. Since 2009, Connect to Advance (http://www.connecttoadvance.com) has hosted seven successful events that have been featured in publications and media outlets such as Univision (http://univision65.univision.com), Power 99 (http://www.power99.com/main.html), and the Philadelphia Tribune (http://www.phillytrib.com). Past corporate sponsors include Johnson & Johnson (http://www.jnj.com/connect/), Cigna (http://www.cigna.com), Comcast (http://wwwb.comcast.com) and many others. Pa. Senator Vincent Hughes (http://senatorhughes.com) recently recognized Connect to Advance (http://www.connecttoadvance.com) as a “Community Connector” for bringing diverse communities together.