CCCycle Changing Young Children's Lives
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About Cycle Changing Young Children's Lives
For a second grader, working toward a bicycle can make a literacy goal feel tangible. CYCLE Houston partners with Title One schools in the Greater Houston area, where students, teachers, and parents set academic and behavioral goals, and students who meet them earn a new bicycle and helmet. In 2024, CYCLE awarded 7,476 bicycles, bringing its total to more than 200,000 students throughout the area.
CYCLE Houston connects second-grade literacy goals with a reward students can see, ride, and earn: a new bicycle and helmet. The program also gives volunteers and companies a hands-on role through bicycle-building events, while schools guide students through the academic and behavioral contracts.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
2nd-Grade Literacy Program
CYCLE partners with Title One schools in Greater Houston to improve 2nd-grade literacy. Students, parents, and teachers establish academic and behavioral goals, and students who meet or exceed those goals earn a new bicycle and helmet.
Bike Builds
Volunteers, companies, and community members assemble bicycles that are awarded to students who achieve their program goals.
School Participation Program
Qualified Title One schools apply to participate, secure district and superintendent support, orient teachers, administer student contracts, and submit academic and conduct information.
Helmet Program
CYCLE provides helmets to students receiving bicycles, including through a dedicated helmet fundraising campaign.
Corporate Bike Builds
Companies can sponsor and participate in hands-on bicycle-building events at CYCLE's venue or at company locations.
About this work
Mission
CYCLE Houston is dedicated to improving 2nd-grade literacy at Title One schools in the Greater Houston area. It envisions every student in the area reading at or above grade level by the end of 3rd grade and gives students the opportunity to earn a bicycle for achieving their academic goals.
Who they serve
Second-grade students at Title One schools in the Greater Houston area, particularly students working toward improved literacy and academic performance.
Their impact
- CYCLE awarded 7,476 bicycles to 2nd-grade students in 2024.
- CYCLE has awarded more than 200,000 bicycles to students throughout the Greater Houston area.
- CYCLE awarded its 100,000th bicycle in 2009.
- More than 200,000 children have received brand-new bicycles through the program.
How your donation helps
- Purchasing bicycles for students who achieve their literacy and academic goals
- Purchasing helmets for bicycle recipients
- Providing $10 helmets to deserving students through the helmet campaign
- Supporting bicycle-building and distribution activities
Need help?
How someone in need can access Cycle Changing Young Children's Lives’s services.
Qualified Title One schools in the Houston area can apply to join the literacy program. Participating schools need superintendent approval, district support, meetings with principals and literacy leaders, teacher orientation, timely data submission, and follow-up information about student progress.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Andrea Gilger, Principal, McMasters Elementary: “We are so excited for the opportunity to participate in such a rewarding experience for our students. Last year, we saw great results in our students’ end of year reading levels. We appreciate you considering our campus for this program.”
Grant support
$34,125 from 4 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- ALBERT & ETHEL HERZSTEIN — $5,000 (2024)TOWARDS SUPPORT OF THE EARN-A-BIKE LITERACY PROGRAM.
- BAKER HUGHES FOUNDATION — $600 (2024)GENERAL SUPPORT
- BAKER HUGHES FOUNDATION — $7,500 (2022)GENERAL SUPPORT
- BAKER HUGHES FOUNDATION — $300 (2021)GENERAL SUPPORT
- The Brown Foundation Inc — $225 (2021)Buy a Bike for a student
- BAKER HUGHES FOUNDATION — $7,500 (2020)GENERAL SUPPORT
- Greater Houston Community Foundation — $13,000 (2018)Elves and More
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Cycle Changing Young Children's Lives has shared.
Current needs
- Funding to purchase bicycles and helmets for additional students
- A $10 helmet donation for a deserving 2nd-grade student
- Support to enable more Title One schools to participate in the literacy program
- Volunteers for bicycle builds, transportation, school coordination, and event support
Volunteer opportunities
- School Captain, coordinating with school representatives, student counts, bicycle distribution, helmet fitting, and volunteers
- Website Support, maintaining the organization's website
- Site Setup, tear-down, training, sales, quality assurance, loading, and other bike-build tasks
- CYCLE Advocate, speaking to corporate groups and encouraging children and parents to participate
- Videography, producing videos to communicate CYCLE's work and encourage contributions
- Transport, delivering bicycles to schools with an enclosed trailer or truck approximately 26 feet or longer
- Participating in bicycle builds
Recognition & press
In the media
- H-Town Live, “Talking Literacy Trends in Houston with CYCLE”
- Houston Happens, “Giving Tuesday” segment featuring CYCLE
- CW39 Houston, “CYCLE bikes get kids to school”
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does a student earn a bicycle?
Students, teachers, and parents sign a contract with academic and behavioral goals. After three months, school faculty report which students have met or exceeded those goals. Qualifying students receive a new bicycle and helmet.
Which schools can participate in the literacy program?
Qualified Title One schools in the Houston area can apply. Participation requires superintendent approval, district support, meetings with school leaders, teacher orientation, timely data submission, and follow-up information about student progress.
What is the program timeline for schools?
The program starts in August or September with a pep rally for second graders and teachers. Students sign contracts and take them home for an adult signature. Final grades are due during the last week of November.
Why does CYCLE focus on 2nd grade?
CYCLE identifies second grade as a formative year, when students are learning to read and sound out what they read. Beginning in third grade, students transition toward reading for content and understanding.
What happens at a bicycle build?
Companies, volunteers, and members of the public assemble bicycles, which are then delivered to schools for students who have earned them. The process starts with a school pep rally and ends with a celebration when students receive their bicycles.
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