WHO WE ARE
In the summers of 2009 and 2010, ACHLA, the Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans, organized summer camps for first-generation college students. By 2011, lacking sufficient funding to continue the camps, we explored alternative options such as enrolling the youth in local summer programs. However, we discovered that many parents lacked the means to transport their children to these camps, and liability issues prevented us from offering transportation in private vehicles. To address this challenge and promote independence among the youth, we established a bike club.
WHY PATA DE PERRO?
While the direct translation of 'pata de perro' is 'dog paw,' and is represented on our logo; in Latin American culture, it's often used to describe someone who loves to explore the outdoors, a wanderer, or a traveler. At Pata de Perro, we're not just fixing bikes; we're encouraging everyone to embark on their own adventures, to explore the world on two wheels.
Our Mission
To mentor youth and adults in the community on the skills needed to repair and maintain a bicycle.
We provide the tools and guidance to work on their own bike, or to earn a bike by helping bring a donated bike to a safe and reliable condition that they can use for transportation to school, jobs, or just fun and exercise.
HOW ITS DONE
1
Donated bicycles are first assessed for potential to return to safe service.
2
Missing or broken parts are either replaced using previous salvaged components or reusable parts are stripped for future use on other bicycles with any unusable metal parts being recycled.
3
Volunteer bike mechanics then mentor individuals and families on how to fully repair, tune, and test for safety a bike(s) that best fits their riding needs.