A group of women prisoners is refurbishing bicycles to reward at-risk kids who improve grades and school attendance.
“It’s a win-win situation,” said Kimberly Hughes, warden of the California Institution for Women where the bike project is housed. The women are thrilled about giving back to the community, Warden Hughes added.
The prison teams with the Riverside Unified School District, the Riverside Police Department, and other agencies to reward Monroe Elementary kids, reports the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation newsletter.
Recently an event was held at the Central Registration Center in Riverside to honor Monroe Elementary students, which included the Ramirez family’s four children who each received refurbished bicycles, helmets and bicycle locks.
Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hansen stated, “In the face of varying circumstances, our students work extremely hard to stay on track. It’s great to know that we have community partners who care so much about the student families of Riverside that they would reward our students with donations like this.”
As of July, the prisoners have donated 20 bicycles to kids who earned better grades and improved attendance.