Community Partners: Simply Youth Institute

Aug 4

Supporting Youth in Skills that Build Independence and Confidence | By Lawrence Hunter

The big picture: This summer, Shift Community Cycles is partnering with Simply Youth Institute to bring a bike-centered experience to SAGACITY, a leadership and career exploration program designed to help young adults build confidence, explore their futures, and strengthen connections to their community.

Why it matters: A bike can be more than a way to get around. It can be a tool for independence, a way to explore your community, and a starting point for building confidence. Through this partnership, young adults will have the opportunity to connect cycling with the larger skills and experiences that help them navigate school, work, and life.

What is SAGACITY? Hosted by Simply Youth Institute, SAGACITY combines leadership development, career exploration, creative expression, mentorship, and financial wellness in a supportive, trauma-informed environment. Participants are encouraged to strengthen decision-making skills, discover their interests, and explore educational and career pathways.

The connection: Shift’s bike camp brings a hands-on, active element to that experience. Young people will have opportunities to learn, ride, explore, and build skills alongside mentors and peers. It’s another way to put confidence and independence into practice—and to show how bicycles can connect people to their community and new possibilities.

Who’s behind it: Simply Youth Institute is a nonprofit focused on empowering young adults through education, mentorship, and workforce development. Together, Simply Youth Institute and Shift are creating space for young people to learn new skills, build relationships, and imagine what comes next.

The bottom line: The bike is just the beginning. When young people have access to supportive mentors, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to explore their interests, a summer ride can become part of something much bigger.