Village Wrench, a social enterprise of the nonprofit Mill Village Ministries, began with a pop-up site for free bicycle repairs in 2013. Today, in addition to monthly pop-up events, it operates a brick-and-mortar bicycle shop that provides affordable sales and service as well as programs to empower youth.
“Bicycles are not only for recreation,” said Rhonda Rawlings, community director for Mill Village Ministries. “They are a necessity for some people, especially in under-resourced communities. Public transportation doesn’t go everywhere, and many rely on bicycles to get to and from work.”
True to its origin, Village Wrench still offers free, basic bike repairs the first Saturday of every month at seven locations across the Upstate. Liv Singfield, program manager, said these monthly events are led by volunteers and provide more than just a tune-up and reliable transportation.
“It’s an opportunity to connect with people from the community,” Singfield said. “We teach them and give them the opportunity to work on their own bicycle using our tools and stands.”
For anyone who doesn’t have a bicycle, Village Wrench’s Earn-a-Bike program allows adults and young people to earn a cycle by logging service hours anywhere in the community, such as helping at a soup kitchen, church, fire department or local business.
All of the bikes sold in the store or earned through service hours are donated by individuals and groups.
“We depend on bike donations,” Singfield said. “We like to say, ‘Bring us your dusty — but not rusty — bicycles.’”
Singfield leads a weekly after-school program called 6-Cycle that aims to help teens flourish in work and life. It is linked to the Propel program for youth and young adults offered by Mill Village Ministries.
“6-Cycle 1st Gear is an opportunity for kids in grades 8-11 to learn light mechanic skills and character development. If they like it, they can continue with 2nd Gear and apply to become an apprentice in the shop in the summer,” she said. “They often stay involved in this and our other youth programs. We have several success stories.”
One of those success stories is Lane McConville, a third-year apprentice whose passion for mountain biking first connected him with Village Wrench and its youth programs.
“I enjoy helping people,” McConville said. “The program has taught me many things about bikes and bike mechanic skills.”
Through hands-on learning and mentorship, he developed both technical expertise and valuable life skills, demonstrating personal growth that extends far beyond the bike, Singfield said.
“Lane’s journey is a testament to the impact of Village Wrench in shaping confident, capable individuals ready to tackle challenges on and off the trail,” she said.
In addition to donated bikes, Village Wrench relies on grants and donations to continue its work.
The Community Foundation of Greenville contributed $50,000 toward the capital campaign of Mill Village Ministries, the umbrella organization for Mill Village Farms, Village Engage, Village Launch and Village Wrench.
For more information, visit villagewrench.org.
