I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these folks:

http://www.phoenixbikes.org/

They're a non-profit bike shop that provides mentoring to local kids. I think I might be buying a new road bike soon(!!), and if I do I'm thinking of donating the old bike to these folks so they can fix it up and sell it.

They're located in south Arlington on Four Mile Run Drive, just off the WOD and Four Mile Run trails.

This is from their web site:

Our Theory: Put Two Wheels On One Frame.

The front wheel is our service as a Bike Shop:

- A resource for sustainable, affordable transportation – the only used bike and used parts store in DC Metro
- An advocate among kids and families for healthy lifestyles and active communities
- An introduction to Youth Mechanics, Families & the Community
The foundation of a sustainable organization – a renewable financial resource

Our back wheel is youth development.
This is what powers the organization. We believe that a bike shop is an amazing tool for the development of young leaders because it provides an opportunity for:

- Hands-On Learning & Business Skills. Youth in the shop take on challenges, have the opportunity to solve new problems, and get to apply skills – academic and practical – to concrete accomplishments.
- Teamwork, Friendship & Mentoring – between youth as well as with adults.
- Peer Education – the chance to gain confidence and gain awareness by taking responsibility for someone else’s learning
- Community Service – Whether its fixing someone’s brakes or helping at a clinic, youth are a community resources and they have an impact on their neighborhoods!
- Fun! In cycling people young and old gain freedom to explore their world and excercise to help their bodies and minds.

One wheel without the other doesn’t get you very far. Both of these wheels are necessary – locally, nationally, globally, organizationally – and provide the core of our commitment to the economic, social, and environmental health of Arlington and DC Metro region. And as transportation, workforce, and community leadership needs change evolve in the coming years, we believe organizations like PB are only becoming more important.