We’re so excited to introduce our newest beer: Winding Ways 🚴♀️
This delicious beer was inspired by the synergy of Banana Cream and delicious Graham Cracker Crust. Combining Toasted Biscuit Malts, Banana Flavoured Esters, and Savoury Baking Spices 🍌
Winding ways was made in support of The WRENCH. $1 from every beer sold will be donated directly to The WRENCH to help them continue to serve our community.
Label artwork was graciously donated by Natalie Baird. The Winding Ways label was inspired by her work on the Jubilee Underpass bike path mural- which she completed in her participation with the WRENCH’s Wheels of Courage Program.
Winding Ways will only be available at OGC, 1596 Ness Avenue, and with a very limited amount available don’t wait! Hurry down to pick up your cans today.
SPECIAL NOTICE: The WRENCH will be closed on September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This includes Thursday Open Shop.
BIKE SALES have now moved to our outdoor Forks Site.
Sales and minor repairs offered as follows:
Wednesdays, 4-8pm
Saturdays, 1-7pm
Sundays: 11-5pm
Thursday Open Shop happens at 1057 Logan for more major repairs and part sales and Bike Builds from 12-5:30pm- see below.
Open Shop services are available by appointment only. Please note: we are experiencing high demand for our services. Appointment times are booked on a first come, first served basis, and are often full.
What you need to know:
All appointments must be booked in advance. Schedule your booking here onlineor call us at 204-296-3389, ext. 0.
We reserve the right to prioritize services for those with more need.
Services offered during Open Shop include; Bike Repairs, Part Sales, Bike Builds ($40 for a bike, including a bike lock).
Location: 1057 Logan Avenue in the basement of the Animal Services Building.
Thanks for thinking of us! We re-cycle bikes back into the community after a bit of a tune up and safety testing.
Drop your bike/parts off at any of Winnipeg’s 4R Sites; and we will retrieve it, along with other donated and discarded bikes when we do our collections.
Term Position: Starting as soon as possible, until March 31, 2022, with possibility for renewal.
$17-19/hr
Full time (35-40 hrs/week)
Health benefits available after probation period.
The WRENCH is a registered charity that creates stronger, healthier communities by removing barriers to building, repairing and maintaining bicycles – with a focus on educating youth. We envision a world where everyone is empowered to experience their community by bicycle.
The WRENCH is seeking a Mentor for our Wheels of Courage (WoC) program. Wheels of Courage is a free, 9 month volunteer program at the WRENCH for young people (ages 15-30) who love bikes and want to use them as a tool for personal growth and social change. WoC participants gain exclusive access to a diverse array of skill-building workshops as well as support and funding to develop their own Community Projects.
Working under the direction of the WoC Program Coordinator, Mentors are part of a team who support skill building and focus participants’ interest in bicycles towards meaningful, hands-on service opportunities for the broader community.
Mentors will assist participants in identifying issues of concern in their communities and then taking action through self directed Community Projects.
Responsibilities
Creating customized mentorship plans with individual WoC participants
Providing support as needed for WoC participants to achieve their goals with the program. Occasionally this may involve systems navigation.
Directing and coordinating participants learning activities, both online and in person; and connecting participants with professional skill building activities
Training participants in bicycle mechanics
Supporting participants to identify community needs and priorities
Supporting participants as they develop and implement their community projects
Liaising with schools and service organizations to identify and create meaningful volunteer opportunities for participants
Facilitating communications between participants, the WRENCH, and partnering organizations
Record keeping including gathering metrics and feedback, and documenting activities
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
Familiarity with the community bike shop model.
Relevant Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two years of related experience working with youth.
Experience in asset based community development and grassroots directed programming.
Experience with trauma informed practice.
Experience counteracting intersectional oppression to improve community programs.
Knowledge of community based youth serving organizations in Winnipeg for the purposes of partnership and broadening support for participants.
Preferred Skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
A strong interest in other people and diverse perspectives. Experience working with a variety of organizations and groups.
Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to quickly establish rapport with individuals from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds.
Ability to self-direct, adapt to a changing environment, prioritize and meet deadlines while concurrently managing multiple projects.
Ability to exercise sound judgement, anticipate/assess situations, and take proactive steps to create positive outcomes.
Ability to ride a bicycle as traffic on major roadways.
Intermediate bicycle mechanical skills or willingness to learn.
Application deadline: September 15, 2021, 430pm. Please note- only qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Applicants are encouraged to get their documents in quickly- interviews with qualified candidates may begin prior to the application deadline.
Please submit resume and cover letter by email to:
Kate Sjoberg, Executive Director, The WRENCH at programs@thewrench.ca
Traditional Trails connects cyclists to places through conversation, interpretation and storytelling about Manitoba’s history and Indigenous place making. Led by Momenta Inc., expect to have fun, take care of each other, be respectful, join in and have fun.
Cyclists should arrive with a bicycle, helmet and water bottle. The route will begin and end at the Forks and will take place along the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. The total distance will be approximately 10km with stops along the way.
Participation is Free. See you there!
***** NOTE: 12 PARTICIPANTS PER RIDE ONLY. Sign up is required- Sign up here *****
Participants must bring this completed waiver to the tour:
Two daily guided bike tours on the following Sundays:
July 18, 25
August 8, 15
11:00am-1:00pm
2pm- 4pm
Meet at the WRENCH Forks location!
Traditional Trails is supported by Manitoba 150.
Adrian Alphonso, Director of Clear Paths at Momenta Inc. Adrian is a Band and Community Member of Waywayseecappo First Nation, is passionate about Indigenous perspective cycling programs, and leads on Treaty One Territory land, to honour truth and reconciliation. At Momenta, Adrian delivers inclusive, accessible cycling programs with the goal of inspiring a connection to the land. He has devoted his life to a journey of discovering. He is a commuter, a coach, a professional stunt rider (Trials), a bicycle technician, a passionate guide and devoted his life to a journey of discovering.
Lise Brown, Facilitator and Owner at Momenta Inc. Lise Brown, BRS, RSW began her career at camps in Manitoba as an outdoor educator and guide. Lise completed a Bachelor of Recreation and Masters of Social Work in 2007 at the University of Manitoba, and is a Forest School Practitioner and Trainer. Lise combines these areas of practice to provide clinical direction, facilitate groups and counsel individuals both in urban and wilderness environments with a focus on physical and emotional safety, successful participation, fun, meaningful activity and group cohesion. Lise is on the Forest School of Canada Facilitator team with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada and sits on the board of the Association for Experiential Education.
WHEELS OF COURAGE (WoC) is the WRENCH’s community leadership volunteer program! Today we’re introducing you to one of the projects currently on the go and the WoC participant who is managing it. VERO WARKENTIN is a recent returnee to Manitoba and signed on with WoC after spending the summer working as a mechanic at the WRENCH.
Vero has recruited some fellow Wrenchers and local artists to create beautiful artbikes that will be raffled off, with proceeds going to another Logan Ave. organization — drop-in and resource centre Sunshine House, Inc! Keep reading for a Q&A with Vero.
Q: How did you come up with your project idea?
A: In 2019, I volunteered for the Rainbow Railroad Gala and loved every part of it: the mission, the people, the party, the camaraderie. I was determined to help for the next year. When the pandemic began, the need to support vulnerable communities was magnified. I wanted to create an event that would both support and foster the 2SLGBTQIA community with bikes, and building colourful, proud and magnificently artful bikes was a no-brainer. I’ve been creative my entire life, and that spark has been seen and fanned by incredible artists and teachers in the past. This project is my turn to inspire. For me its less about my own ability to create art, and more about my recognition of the artists in my life and directing the huge impact art can have.
Q: Who are the artists you’ve enlisted?
A: So far, we have a collection of artists, mechanics and artist-mechanics giving their time to this project. Keira Friesen is a potter and mixed media artist who incorporates organic and natural forms in her work. Kevin Celestino is a WoC mentee, fellow Wrencher and visual artist. Leslie Parisien is a fellow WoC mentee and Wrencher, and sometimes textile artist. Sarah Thiessen is a creative jack of all trades, creating visual art, sculptures and performance art to delight and dazzle.
Q: What is an artbike?
A: An artbike is kind of how it sounds: a bike, but art! You could say it’s a type of kinetic sculpture. A bike that is still rideable that looks like a dragon, or has been yarnbombed, or has been painted, or welded up to be a giant man powered parade float — these are all artbikes. It also doesn’t have to be a special occasion bike. You could ride a sparkle unicorn bike with streamer tail to the office every day. I know I would.
Q: Why did you choose Sunshine House as the beneficiary of the funds you are raising?
A: Sunshine House is a vivid space that supports the community as they are. It makes room for whole people with all of our complications, experiences, expressions. At the base of it, bikes are like this too: freedom on wheels, for everyone. It’s a great pairing, and I’m so excited about the possibilities for our Pride Ride in June, the wrap up celebration after the raffle is completed in May.
On Sunday March 21st, 2021, WILD RIDE made its debut as a part of Cinematheque’s Bicycle Film Fest! WILD RIDE was produced by The WRENCH’s Just Cycle Program at Marymound School. Director Christine Fellows worked with students to create the stop motion film; with original music by Christine Fellows and Jason Tait. Just Cycle is generously supported by Canada’s Youth Justice Fund.
Enjoy!
Date produced: March 2021 Director: Christine Fellows Artistic Collaborators: The students of Room 12 at Marymound School, WRENCH staff, Marymound staff Music: Christine Fellows and Jason Tait Audio mix: Jason Tait Post-production assistance: Alicia Smith Running time: 2:49
Cycle of Giving+Moving On Up is a wrap! (Aside from all the deliveries that will happen in the coming weeks.)
Thank you to our incredible community. We did this together.
We received over $10000 in donations from over 150 donors. What an incredible launch to our building fundraising campaign!
We also want to again thank all our sponsors: HLC, Pollard Banknote, Assiniboine Credit Union, Emterra, Payworks, Urban Systems, and Johnston Group.
Thanks also to our amazing partners, Natural Cycle, Mountain Equipment Coop, Bikes and Beyond, Martha Street Studio, and Graffiti Art Programming.
Thanks to artists Kiana Compton, Marco Muller, Sarah Thiessen and Matea Radic for contributing to our incentive giving plan!
Thank you to Anna Weier for writing a piece about us in the Winnipeg Free Press. At least one donor was introduced to our work through that article!
Thank you to DJs Shael, Two Topping, Cadence, Justin Bear, and Equanim for leading the party last night, and to Justin Larivee for designing and delivering a night to remember. You are incredible.
Thank you for feeding and watering us! Oh Doughnuts, Tall Grass Prairie Bakery, Organic Planet, One Great City, Barnhammer, and Half Pints.
And thank you to everyone who offered storytelling about about the cycling community, activism, and associated work in Winnipeg. We learned so much!
All raffle winners and tshirt recipients will receive a call or email on next steps to receive your item(s). Distribution will begin Tuesday- but we ran out of shirts! So, some will receive theirs a little later. (Sarah has graciously agreed to make some more.)
Thanks once again to the mechanics who built from their home shops. We will do some sharing of the delivery work on social media over the coming weeks so you can all follow along. Thanks also to everyone who made holiday cards. They are on their way out as well!
Thank you again for your generosity. While our incentive giving plan is now closed, you can support The WRENCH at any moment through CanadaHelps
Donate and receive a charitable tax receipt
Donate without incentive gifts: Thank you so much for your contribution! To receive a charitable tax receipt, donate online to The WRENCH through Canada Helps.
On Saturday December 5, the WRENCH is celebrating 10 years of the Cycle of Giving. This year, we’ve launched our building fundraising campaign- Moving On Up as a part of this event.
Why a building fundraiser?
We want classroom, bike building, and retail spaces that are accessible, and that feel comfortable and inspiring for all Winnipeggers to visit and use. That means moving above ground! Our current space, located under the Animal Services building on Logan presents challenges for accessibility, isn’t big enough, and doesn’t allow for sunlight in our work spaces.
What is Cycle of Giving?
Cycle of Giving is symbolic of The WRENCH’s core work- salvaging bikes and parts from our local landfill and recycling sites, and putting them to the best use possible so that every Winnipegger can get around the city cheaply, while helping the planet. Hundreds of volunteers have supported Cycle of Giving over the years in a 24 hour build a thon, building bikes with recycled parts at Orioles Community Centre and then distributing them to partner organisations, schools, kids, and families.
What’s different this year?
This year, the project is even more heart warming. To keep covid safe, our friends and partner organisations have taken it upon themselves to receive bike frames and parts into their home based and private shops; and have been building since the beginning of November. This decentralised build will culminate on December 5, a day of simultaneous bike building at shops throughout the city.
In the days leading up to December 5, The WRENCH will be broadcasting stories over social media that celebrate the histories of Winnipeg bike culture and activism; as we continue to re-vision and work towards a more bike friendly city.
Thank you to our sponsors
We wish to extend a big thank you to our sponsors for helping make Cycle of Giving a reality for the city of Winnipeg!
Does your bicycle have trouble coming to a stop? Is there a loud squealing noise when you squeeze your brakes? Ever wondered what the difference between a cantilever and a V-brake is? Then this is the workshop for you!
Happening Saturday September 26th, 1-3PM. This workshop will be held outdoors, at The WRENCH’s Forks location!
All about brakes, this workshop will help you learn about different types of brakes found on bicycles, how they work, and how to repair them! From levers to calipers and everything in between.
Workshop is free (donations always welcome), no registration or previous experience necessary.
*Note this workshop will not focus on hydraulic disc brakes.
