Apex Youth Connection

We're so grateful to Ranger Tom at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and his crew for providing amazing experiences for our summer campers including fishing, kayaking, Junior Ranger Badges, and archery! This year's highly anticipated fishing trip sparked some new passions for our youth. It was a hot day but many said it was their favorite trip of summer so far. Thank you Ranger Tom!

Week one of summer camp wrapped up last Friday, and we had a blast. We kicked off the season by playground hopping, swimming and tide pooling at Biddeford Pool, learning about healthy food at the Hannaford Nutrition program, and enjoying all the amazing animals at Maine Wildlife Park. We even got to see a moose up close! We’re excited to see what the rest of the summer brings! 🌞🌊🌳🐾🦀🐚

Mark your calendars… This August we’re getting the gang back together! Join founder Andy Greif for our first ever Community Bicycle Center Reunion! We’re inviting past CBC alumni, staff, volunteers, and friends to join us in celebrating and reminiscing about all the wonderful memories from the CBC. Bring your friends, family, and a plate to share if you’d like! See you in August. 💛🚲

Our Maine Huts & Trails trip is back! We are headed to Flagstaff Lake in July to spend the day kayaking, canoeing, and having fun. Sign up at the link in our bio!

Last week we said an emotional farewell to Fabian- our one-of-a-kind Lead Bike Mechanic and Mentor. Fabian has set out on a grand adventure to hike the Appalachian Trail! 🥾🌳

Fabian first came to the Apex (then the Community Bicycle Center) in 2015 when he was 14 and quickly became a staple of the organization. When he graduated high school, he continued to show up. When our organization went through a large staff change in 2024, Fabian was the first to lead the charge in getting Apex back up and running. Soon after he became our mechanic and the rest is history.

Anyone who knows Fabian immediately recognizes his kindness, creativity, humor, and generosity. He has been through the many iterations of our organization as a participant, volunteer, and staff member. He has done the Trek Across Maine, led road and mountain bike rides, pedaled the Bike Doctor, staffed field trips and festivals and everything in between. Since 2024, Fabian has seen more than 400 youth come through our doors and helped build and fix well over 350 bicycles. His natural ability to teach and maintain patience and calmness in the chaos is something that inspires many.

This isn’t a goodbye, but more of a see you later. We are so sad to say goodbye to Fabian but even prouder to see him chase his dreams and explore the world. Ten years ago, the Community Bicycle Center helped shape Fabian’s future. Two years ago, Fabian helped shape Apex’s future. We wouldn’t be where we are today without his dedication, commitment, and positive disposition. Thank you, Fabian, for all you have given to Apex and the CBC. Best of luck on this amazing new chapter!

𝗔𝗽𝗲𝘅 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲. 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗲𝘅.

𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗲𝘅, 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲.

"𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬?"

Those were Fabian's words to me just moments before this photo was taken.
Two and a half years earlier, our paths crossed at a pivotal moment. I had recently joined Apex as Program Manager when the Executive Director resigned. The organization was struggling to find its footing, and I often found myself wondering what the future held. One afternoon, while sitting alone in the bike shop, a young man walked through the door and introduced himself.

"𝘏𝘪, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘍𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘯."

He told me he had been a participant years earlier when Apex was known as the Community Bicycle Center. He had heard the bike shop and youth programming had slowed down and wanted to check in.
As we talked, I learned that Fabian was attending So. ME Community College and commuting nearly 40 miles round trip by e-bike, even during the winter.

Then I asked him what CBC had meant to him. At age 14, Fabian had felt lost and uncertain. After several invitations from staff, he finally stopped by the program. He wasn't interested in bicycles at first. What drew him in was the welcoming atmosphere and the feeling that he belonged. Soon he caught the "bike bug," but more importantly, he found confidence, purpose, and a community that believed in him. Then he asked a question I'll never forget:

"𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬?"

At a moment when I was questioning whether Apex could rebuild, Fabian reminded me why it mattered.

He began volunteering immediately. Months later, when I became ED, Fabian became my first hire. Together, with the help of an incredible staff, we helped revitalize the bike shop, rebuild our Earn-a-Bike program, and restore the welcoming culture that had first inspired him a decade earlier.

Since then, Apex has served more than 400 youth and helped young people build over 350 bicycles.

Today, Fabian is embarking on his next adventure—hiking the AT, followed by a cross-country bike journey and eventually the PCT. His imagination, determination, and courage continue to inspire all of us.
Fabian's story reminds us that Apex is about much more than bicycles. It is about helping young people discover who they are and what they can become. Sometimes those young people return years later to help the next generation find their own path.

Ten years ago, Apex helped shape Fabian's future.
Two years ago, Fabian helped shape Apex's future.

Today, there are more young people waiting for that same opportunity.
I hope you will help us write the next chapter.

Make a gift today https://secure.qgiv.com/for/apexyouthorganization/.

With gratitude,

Michael Chapman
Executive Director