Revolutions Building a Stronger Community One Bike at a Time

NON-PROFIT TEACHES SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND MAKES ENJOYING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ACCESSIBLE FOR COMMUNITY YOUTH

“Every child has inside him an aching void for excitement and if we don’t fill it with something which is exciting and interesting and good for him, he will fill it with something which is exciting and interesting and which isn’t good for him.” –Theodore Roosevelt

Nick Brink (left), Devyn Trost (center left), Francis Lane (center right), and Mark Hall work on bikes at Revolutions in downtown Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Mark Hall teaches Devyn Trost how tho put tubing on a bicycle wheel. (photo by Ron Caspi)

What started for Mark Hall and Lindsay Bean as daydreaming a year and a half ago has recently materialized into Revolutions; a non-profit store and classroom that offers an inexpensive way to get out and enjoy the changing seasons.

Revolutions is a used outdoor gear store that accepts donations from the forgotten goods in your basement, even taking old and broken bikes to breathe new life into them by taking them apart for goods to rebuild the ones they resell or donate to people in need. Revolutions is providing a niche in the community that is inspiring and comfortable, vending a way of transportation and a way of life.

Mark Hall and Lindsay Bean prepare a bike for students to work with at Revolutions. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Mark and Lindsay are especially inspired to broaden the convenience of biking because it solves a lot of society’s issues, it is a non-polluting way to get from one place to another without depending on the use of non-renewable resources and it is an excellent source of exercise, entertainment and a way to enjoy nature. In addition to a variety of bike style and sizes you can find camping gear, skateboards, snowboards and entire ski sets at Revolutions.

Revolutions’ first class for youth kicked off on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Aside from the store front, Revolutions is offering classes for youth, ages 11-17, to teach the art of bike maintenance and the trade of using tools. These classes were envisioned with hopes to inspire kids that don’t have the opportunity to play sports or to be a part of extra-curriculars, for kids that can’t afford new seasonal outdoor gear and for the youth that otherwise might not spend enough time outside getting exercise, fresh air and building self confidence.

Devyn Trost puts tubing on a bike wheel at Revolutions. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Providing a pleasant atmosphere for at risk youth and teaching them how to be self sufficient and how to feel good about themselves is what drove Lindsay and Mark to give up their comfortable salary jobs and jump into what they really wanted to give back to our community. Giving our youth something exciting, adventurous and most importantly, positive, is exactly what Revolutions is bringing to Marquette. It is truly a place where your donations and your dollars are put towards building a place for youth to learn in a hands-on environment and encourage the self esteem that all teenagers deserve.

Lindsay Bean checks a bike. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Lindsay had spent a lot of time working with at risk kids at summer camps and she enjoys teaching them the most because they are so appreciative and grateful in a positive environment.Mark had the garage of bikes in need of some repair and a happy home and together they created the dream to bring the two together.

It is a “culmination of ideas since our childhood” said Lindsay and it is only the beginning of what they hope to grow into. Their long term goals include expanding their store, turning a profit so they can also buy used goods in a way to be more self-sufficient and ultimately expanding their classes and being more involved with youth, giving them a creative and constructive atmosphere to learn and grow.

Mark Hall works on a bike in the workshop of Revolutions. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Revolutions is located on Washington Street, downtown in the Masonic Square Building. Contact Lindsay (906)451-4120 and Mark (906) 204-6928 (info@revolutionsyouth.org) for class inquiries or information on donating. Revolutions can also be found at www.revolutionsyouth.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

Nick Brink works on a bicycle at Revolutions. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Classes: FREE (Donations are accepted!) Set up for about 10 kids at a time with three work stations. They are once a week starting on Tuesday, October 28^th at 5:30pm. Bikes, shop tools and aprons provided. Students and volunteers are able to earn in store money by working hours in the shop.

Store Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10-5
Wednesday: 10-5
Thursday: 10-7
Friday: 10-7
Saturday: 11-5
Sunday: 12-4

Mark Hall (left) and Devyn Trost (right) work together on a bike. (photo by Ron Caspi)

by Candace Prill

Being raised in a small Michigan town has taught me many things; being one with nature, eating whole foods and living in a sustainable way are just a few. My family and I currently reside in Marquette, where we can grow a garden downtown, bike anywhere in the city and enjoy endless nature just outside of the city limits. In the past several years I have been lucky to be a part of researching, writing and teaching about whole living. You can find my monthly nutrition column “Healthier Living” in the Great Lakes Pilot that I have been writing for the past two years. You can also find my published geological research in “Agates: Inside Out” by Karen Brzys. My passion is to live and, teach to live, in a sustainable way, both nutritionally and environmentally. I look forward to sharing my articles on sustainable living here at Marquette Magazine.

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