Tyler Groff - AmeriCorps Recruiter

Dear friends, family, and most importantly, regular readers;
I'm sorry I haven't kept everyone up to date on my latest and greatest adventures and activities. The truth is my adventures have simply been too late and too great to actually share.
And so I'll just give you all a very quick update on the life and times of the one and only, Tyler K Groff.
Just yesterday, I officially and technically committed to living at the YAV (Young Adult Volunteers) house. To be clear, I will simply be a community member and just rent a room in the house. I'm not actually doing the YAV program. I'm excited to be living with people again!

Speaking of programs... the Bizanteen Bikes program is actively seeking AmeriCorps members for this coming year. At first glace Bizanteen is all about teaching youth how to do bike maintenance, refurbishing bikes, and selling said bikes. However, on the day to day level its more about interacting with youth who are going through some tough times. Over the past week I've dealt with someone who suddenly found out that they were going to be homeless that night. I've helped someone else find ways to get extra community service hours. In general my job has become so much more than just teaching someone how to make their wheels straight.
Furthermore, and rather importantly, we are in desperate need of additional volunteers. AmeriCorps' got a pretty cool thing going on. The term runs for a full year (although it is potentially possible shorten the term to your own needs), and is a half time position (900 hours). There is a $5,700 living allowance dispersed every two weeks, and a $2,362.50 educational reward granted at the completion of the 900 hours.
And so, if you know of someone looking to get involved in a cool program, someone who wants to be a good influence on teens, or wants to learn and teach bike stuff, let me know!
This next week we're hoping to get a more specific and solid job description nailed down. I'll be back on the recruitment campaign again when that happens, until then, spread the word!
Thanks.

Weekly Stats, plus some stuff!

TM: 9:07
AVS: 15.3
MXS: 35.3 (I didn't get any good box truck drafting in this week)
DST: 140.25
ODO: 440


I also want to say a bit about why you've heard so little from me lately. Contrary to what you might think it is infact not because there are no exciting things to share in my life. Largely it is due to a relatively small, but practically huge piece of technical equipment; my computer charger. It is M.I.A. and I have therefore not had regular or consistent access a good blogging device. In addition, I have not done a good job of photographing the goings-on around me. and so, while I really have been doing great and fun things and keeping busy, and biking a bunch, I dont have proof.  :-(
But! If you are interested in some of the (potentially hypothetical) things I have been up to here is quick run down:
- The Bizanteen Bikes program (my AmeriCorps job) sold a bunch of bikes at the GABA Swap meet last Sunday. It was a good time and lots of people were selling lots and lots of cool bike stuff. Although I didnt really have time to do much shopping since I was selling bikes.
- My student in Bizanteen is awesome and finished rebuilding a bike (that we sold at the above event).
- I've decided not to get a motorcycle, or a van, or anything else that awesome, but instead go for the smaller scale awesomnesses like bike parts and gear, and saving for Big Adventures.
- Saguaro East is a good ride. Even if it did make me a bit late for work... I'll have to do it again sometime soon.
- Stripping of the steel framed steed is going less than optimally. The deadly chemicals I bought to take off the paint for me didn't do a though job so now I'm hoping for someplace that can sand blast it. I'm excited for it to become a bike! I just think it might take awhile...