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Good Cycles secures People & Planet First verification.

We are thrilled to share that Good Cycles has been recognised as a People and Planet First Verified Social Enterprise.

It means that we have met the global standards and ethics set by Social Enterprise World Forum across five requirements:

Purpose: we exist to solve a social and/or environmental problem

Operations: we prioritise purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions

Revenue: we have a self-sustaining revenue model

Use of surplus: we reinvest all our profits into our purpose

Structure: we have chosen legal structures and financing that protects and locks in purpose long term.

We are proud of this recognition of our work to break the employment barriers Young People face by creating green jobs of the future. 

For more information about People & Planet First and the other companies who have gained certification around the world, check out their website here

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ABC News covers Good Cycles response to the Melbourne City Council’s share e-scooter ban

It was great to see Hassan and Jaison speaking on the ABC News in support of Lime and our employees after the Melbourne City Council announced the ban on share scooters a few weeks ago.

 It’s been a hard few weeks for Lime, but there is still a lot to play out as other councils in the north, Merri-bek, Darebin and Moonee Valley have signalled their support for a rental e-scooter scheme.  

As a job-focused social enterprise, we exist to break down employment barriers that marginalised young people face. Lime is a significant supporter of our Youth Employment Program, both here in Melbourne and interstate.

Lime is a significant supporter of our Youth Employment Program, both in Victoria and interstate. We have been a proud partner of Lime since 2020, which has provided 149 employment opportunities in Melbourne in this time and 41 current jobs.

The strength of this partnership has also helped staff develop their skills and capabilities to leadership opportunities either at Lime or through the tailored mentorship program Lime and Good Cycles offers. 

This decision obviously has an economic impact, however it is the people and community impact that Good Cycles is concerned about. 

Watch the ABC News clip here:

Our partnership with Lime has allowed these Good Cycles employees to find work as scooter and bike mechanics and operations specialists, work that gives them confidence, stability and a sense of purpose. Work that helps break the cycles of unemployment. Sadly the ban on e-scooters is likely to see a reduction in staff and operations. The full extent is unknown at this stage.

Our CEO Jaison Hoernel said “Good Cycles supports the safe and appropriate use of active transport solutions in our cities and all the jobs that it can create. Our research shows young people want to work in jobs of the future such as these green jobs that help our environment and the community. We want to continue supporting Lime while helping young people thrive.”

We are still assessing the full impact of this decision but we do know that e-bikes will continue to operate in the city. We are working closely with Lime to navigate the remaining weeks of the e-scooters operating and the impact that will have on our staff. 

You can show your support to Good Cycles and our Lime staff by signing up to our newsletters and Instagram, so we can keep you informed of future developments. 

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Our Research Release and Round Table Recap

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our Round Table Discussion.

Our Round Table Discussion was opened by Hannah Figueroa, our Impact Evaluation Lead, who released the findings of her research into exploring the  job market experiences of young people who are marginalised and the challenges they experience when trying to secure employment. 

In this research, staff from Good Cycles’ Youth Employment Program (YEP) shared personal experiences that gave valuable insights into how their needs and values influence their job choices, and their views on the challenges and opportunities in future work.

Hannah’s research covers three key areas:

Drivers behind youth unemployment: Understanding underemployment and weak participation in the labour market experienced by marginalised young people.

Engaging our youth: The needs and reasons for engaging in work among young people working at Good Cycles.

The future of work: Creating ‘green’ inclusive and sustainable jobs for young people.

To download a copy of Hannah’s research and access the recording of our Round Table Discussion, please fill out your details below.

"We believe the Good Cycles research is pivotal for corporate development companies aiming to create social impact as it provides strategies for empowering groups and thereby directly contributes to the socio economic uplift of local communities."
Bonny Bayne
Strategic Partnerships & Foundation Manager, Stockland

We also thank Professor Jo Barraket, Hannah’s academic mentor, and the Melbourne Social Equity Institute for the opportunity that allowed this research to take place. The community fellows program enables community organisations like Good Cycles the ability to undertake research of this focus and significance. Congratulations to Hannah on completing her research and thank you for sharing the findings with us all. 

To create employment pathways for young people, we need to listen and learn from young people themselves. We have so much gratitude for Youth Employment Program participants who shared their stories and lived experience with us in the research.

Thank you to Vaughn, a YEP participant and Assistant Manager at Purpose Precinct, who shared their experiences both in the research and at the Round Table Discussion. They gave an invaluable contribution to the discussion with their eloquent and considered perspectives.  

We extend our gratitude to our panellists, who shared their experience, knowledge and support:

Bonny Bayne (Strategic Partnerships & Foundation Manager, Stockland)

Myf Galloway (Asia Pacific Retail Training Manager, Trek Bicycle Corporation)

Quentin Mercier (Industry Capability & Inclusion Manager, John Holland)

Lara Nickless (Operations Manager, Lime Australia)

To download a copy of Hannah’s research and access the recording of our Round Table Discussion, please fill out your details below.

In social enterprise, we know the power in creating a sense of belonging through human connection. We’ve learned a lot about how to do it well and want to be a blueprint for how business can be.

If we’re making good workplaces for people who’ve experienced barriers to employment, it means that we’re making good workplaces for everyone

“Businesses need to start approaching practices differently because this is your workforce of the future. There’s only going to be more young people and they’re going to be the older people in the next few years. If you want to have a good business in ten, fifteen or twenty years, this is needs to be important to you now.”

Kirra Johnson, Executive Lead People & Impact, Good Cycles

Our first discussion event may have ended but the discussion certainly hasn’t. If anybody wants to keep talking, talk to us at Good Cycles, talk to each other, and let’s keep the discussion and action going.

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Vote for Good Cycles in the Third Sector Awards!

The Third Sector Awards is the largest and most prestigious Awards ceremony recognising excellence within the not-for-profit sector. 

Good Cycles has been nominated as finalists in TWO categories. Public voting is now open and we need your help!

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

‘Using the bike for social and environmental change’

Since 2013 we’ve supported Young People in securing safe and meaningful jobs. We use social and environmental innovation to break the employment barriers they face. Across four divisions we create jobs with a range of career pathways, green jobs of the future and jobs that nurture communities to be cleaner, safer, and healthier.

We’ve been recognised for our demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to sustainability in its operations, initiatives, and overall mission. The winning organisation (hopefully us!) will have implemented innovative and effective strategies to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic resilience.

COLLABORATION EXCELLENCE AWARD

Good Cycles & City of Melbourne’s organic waste collection

Since May 2022, Good Cycles, City of Melbourne and Citywide have worked together to help young people who are marginalised find meaningful and ongoing work, while helping the city address a growing environmental issue around the incorrect management of organic waste material. 

This award recognises a successful partnership that has achieved significant collective impact in addressing complex social challenges or advancing a common cause.

Voting closes 16 August. Thank you for your support!

Learn more about our work breaking employment barriers for Young People in our 2023 Impact Snapshot.

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Congratulations Hannah!

This week we celebrated Hannah’s completion of her research as a Community fellow for the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne.

Hannah, our Impact Evaluation Lead, led this important research into understanding the challenges faced by Young People from marginalised backgrounds in gaining employment, and the kinds of factors that inform their decisions and aspirations around employment pathways.

Hannah’s research addressed the lack of qualitative data from Young People who have been marginalised and the structural barriers they face in securing work.

She will be presenting a summary of her important work at our upcoming Round Table, where we’ll be joined by partners of Good Cycles for an open conversation on the role we play in helping Young People access sustainable employment opportunities.

We are very lucky to have Hannah in our team and are thankful for the opportunity to share the outcomes of her research with you.

 

Date: Wednesday 7 August

Time: 4pm

Where: Melbourne CBD and online

Congratulations to all the Melbourne Social Equity Institute 2023/24 Fellows, pictured here with Hannah at this week’s celebration.

 Photo: Peter Casamento

Learn more about our work breaking employment barriers for Young People.

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Good Cycles releases its Impact Snapshot 2023 on World Skills Youth Day

We are proud to release our 2023 Impact Snapshot on July 15 to coincide with World Youth Skills Day, a day the United Nations chose to recognise the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

2023 was a big year for Good Cycles. We celebrated our 10 Year anniversary, increased our employees by 40%, moved into Sydney (and now Brisbane and the Gold Coast) with our Lime contract. We did all this while redefining and structuring Good Cycles services through four new business divisions, all ideal industries to grow our impact and Youth Employment Program:

 

Good Spaces: Large scale green space and asset maintenance services.

Good Deliveries: Specialist inner-city deliveries, logistics and sustainability services delivered via e-bikes.

Good Bikes: Bike retail, corporate servicing  and tailored micro-mobility services.

Good People: Specialist managed workforce partnerships (labour hire) with value-aligned partners.

 

 

Most importantly, we had 52 young people in our Youth Employment Program (up from 29 participants in 2022) for a total of 33,484 hours of paid work (up 45% from 2022).

 

This snapshot touches on some challenges the young people face and we look forward to expanding our reporting to align with our
23-24 annual report and share more of our research findings in the near future. 

We know that young people thrive when given the right opportunities, and we are striving to learn more, adapt and grow together.

We had 52 young people in our Youth Employment Program
up from 29 participants in 2022 for a total of 33,484 hours of paid work up 45% from 2022

Good Cycles is incredibly proud of our team leaders, managers, coaches and mentors that bring their passion and commitment towards helping young people who experience barriers to employment.

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Good Deliveries. We Deliver Change.

You know our retail stores, but did you know that Good Cycles also uses bikes to help other businesses deliver their products?

Our Good Deliveries division is now operating to help businesses to deliver into Melbourne’s inner city.

Choosing Good Deliveries means businesses are receiving quality service while supporting Good Cycles to provide safe and meaningful work for Young People in our community.

A competitively priced alternative for small businesses, we can collect the packages (or they can drop them off at our conveniently located Richmond depot) for us to deliver the next day.

Our fleet of e-cargo bikes efficiently navigates high traffic, congested destinations so you can trust Good Deliveries to quickly and professionally meet all delivery needs. Because we use bikes, we are also putting the planet first by reducing emissions spent compared to vans and trucks.

Deliveries can easily be placed via our online portal and can be tracked throughout, with notifications set up for both sender and recipients. We can collect parcels from anywhere in and around Melbourne, and our current delivery area can be found in the FAQ section of the Good Deliveries website.

Keen to work together, putting people and planet first? Find out more about how our Good Deliveries team can work with your business here.

 

Have a suggestion for a business you think you could work with? Let us know via the Contact Us form on our Good Deliveries website.

Learn more about how your donation can make a difference

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GIVE Melbourne Fundraising Efforts

Trio of workers standing in a warehouse, holding bike helmets and wearing hi-viz uniforms.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has launched GIVE Melbourne, a month-long fundraising campaign to raise funds for critical community needs such as Good Cycles.

Noting the current cost of living crisis, increasing rates of unemployment for young people, and lack of affordable housing has exacerbated existing community challenges, this donation drive is asking for support to help Melbourne be a livable and inclusive city for all people.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’ Chief Executive Officer Peter Walton said, “Melbourne is often voted as the most livable city, however, that is not the experience or reality for many people in our community.” “The current cost of living crisis, increased rates of unemployment for young people and lack of affordable housing has exacerbated existing community challenges. We’re working towards Greater Melbourne being a livable and inclusive city for all.”
GIVE Melbourne will support Good Cycles, alongside Ask Izzy by Infoxchange, Sweltering Cities and Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.
GIVE Melbourne is aiming to inspire Melburnians to donate from now until 28 June. Donations of all sizes will help support creating inclusive employment opportunities for young people, the increasing effects of climate change and reduce homelessness. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. With the end of financial year upon us, now is the perfect time to support Good Cycles further.

Learn more about how your donation can make a difference

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Ministerial Visit to Good Cycles

YEP participants speaking with Federal Minister for Employment Tony Burke and MP Peter Khalil inside the Brunswick bike shop.

Federal Minister of Employment Tony Burke and MP for Wills Peter Khalil met with Good Cycles to learn more about how we contribute to the lives of young people, their communities and the environment. 

They sat down with Oliver, Luz, Lucas and Luca who shared their experiences of the Good Cycles Youth Employment Program and the impact it has had on them, and the future they see for themselves. The visit follows the budget release, which detailed $21.9 million to fund work integrated social enterprises such as Good Cycles.

80% of young people struggle to find or keep jobs (YMCA, December 2021). The work that we do to remove the barriers they face for safe, meaningful and sustainable employment is only going to become more important.

We thank Minister Burke and Mr Khalil for visiting us and hearing first-hand how social enterprises can contribute to employment issues in Australia and help empower those most shut out of work opportunities. 

Learn more about how we shape livable communities

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Specialized arrives at Good Cycles

J.P. holding a Specialized Como 3.0.

What do Specialized and Good Cycles have in common? We both believe that the bicycle has the power to change lives.

We are excited to announce that Good Cycles is now stocking Specialized bikes, for all types of riders, for all kinds of rides. Specialized are a leader in the cycling world, designing award winning bikes that are on the cutting edge of innovation.  

We are grateful for the support Specialized has given us over the years. We are stoked with our new partnership and working further together to help get more people on bikes.

To shop our range of Specialized bikes, pop into our Geelong store or visit the Good Cycles online store.

For further enquiries, give our Good Cycles Geelong store a call on 0478 487 547.

Good Cycles Geelong is at 61-63 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Open Tuesday to Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday 9:30am – 3pm.

Learn more about how we shape livable communities

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And the winner is… Good Cycles!

We are chuffed to be recognised with the Innovation Excellence Award at the 2024 Civil Contractors Federation Victoria People & Training Awards!

Our submission noted the work we do with Citywide, DM Roads and Fulton Hogan and the social and environmental innovation we achieve together, but most importantly that this work supports Good Cycles Youth Employment Program and empowering young people in their own lives and communities through stable employment. 

Good Cycles, our purpose and our people were recognised in a room of industry professionals, helping raise awareness of the depth of our business and the partnerships we can offer to help other organisations also support young people and create cycles of change.

We know our staff do amazing work everyday, however awards like this are wonderful to know others recognise the value in what we do as well. Congrats to all the winners and nominees!

Learn more about how we shape livable communities

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How to be a good LGBTQIA+ ally in the lead up to IDAHOBIT

Rainbow flags attached to Goldie store front window, with bike mechanic Leigh working in the background of the photo.

Friday May 17 is International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, a day Good Cycles is proud to acknowledge and celebrate. In line with our values of safety and inclusion, we believe it is a fundamental right for all people to feel safe, be respected and be able to be themselves at work. 

 

We are engaging with all corners of our business to share how we can properly support the LGBTQIA+ community. Ahead of May 17, we will be engaging in conversations about how to be a good ally in the workplace. Here are some ways you could do this in your own time.

Learn and Listen

Take the time out of your day to sit down and listen to a person share their LGBTQIA+ journey. This person could be a work colleague, an acquaintance, a relative or a friend. Gain a deeper understanding of LGBTQIA+ history and issues people may face. Know that somebody will share their story only when they feel comfortable and accepted for who they are. It is important that you are supportive and listen with empathy.

Be Visible

A great way to show your solidarity this week is to display rainbow flags and LGBTQIA+ information brochures around your workplace, while wearing rainbow pins, lanyards or badges with your preferred pronouns. Showing your support, wearing your values demonstrates to LGBTQIA+ people that you are there for them and are backing up your allyship in a public setting. Ensure that these work or study environments are safe and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people to be their true selves.

Use Inclusive Language

Language describes the world that we live in, so it is important we respect those around us by using gender neutral language to avoid prickly assumptions. For example, say ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’ when talking about relationships with somebody you don’t know too well. Respecting people’s preferred pronouns is another way to be an LGBTQIA+ ally, because it shows that person that you are supporting them on their journey and are accepting of their gender identity as well.

When we make ourselves seen and heard as LGBTQIA+ allies, then we create safe spaces for everyone, everywhere. In line with Good Cycles’ values of safety and inclusion, we believe that safety isn’t just a physical consideration and everyone has the right to be themselves at work. 

100% of our profits go towards employing young people facing barriers to employment.

Make a positive impact on a young person’s life by making a charitable donation.

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Luz reflects on her work experiences so far at Good Cycles.

Luz went from rarely riding a bike while living in Mexico to cycling up to 8 hours a day within our Good Spaces division. Joining Good Cycles in 2021, her work varied across council asset maintenance and car share cleaning. 

Today, she is working as a retail assistant in our bike shops while developing her bike mechanics skills. Luz reflects on her experiences out on the road and shares what she has learned.

Tell us about the transition between infrastructure services and retail bike shops? What skills have you been able to transfer?

It’s been quite interesting because I had no background in bikes or mechanics. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming to me, but it has been hectic. What’s been important is learning and taking it a day at a time. Overall the experience has been good compared to how other bike shops would treat a newbie. My communication skills I picked up from working in the public are useful in the bike shop as well. For example how to communicate with managers, and with the team in general. They have been so helpful to me, I can’t thank them enough.

Together with her colleagues/mentors Stef and Abby, Luz is taking steps to improve the way women and female identifying people are perceived in bike shops. According to a 2023 Bicycle Association study on diversity in cycling, women only make up 8% of the cycling industry’s workshop based roles, 40% of administrative roles and 19% of customer facing roles.

 

Have you encountered any challenges in the cycling industry?

Cycling is very much a male-dominated industry. Sometimes people believe they won’t receive the best advice from a woman. In some cases, female store members have been flat out ignored! In our bike shops, I believe we are challenging these stereotypes; on some days you can come into our Melbourne CBD store and there will be three female mechanics all working together, all with expert bike knowledge. This is why I think we need to prioritise hiring women in this industry.

Luz, you have spent time living in Mexico. What is the cycling culture like in Mexico compared to here in Australia?

It’s terrible over there. That’s probably one of the main reasons I never got used to riding bikes on public roads. The most I ever rode was as a toddler, dodging chairs and tables on a kid’s bike in the house. Every Wednesday in my town, there would be a community bike ride but the police would escort us to make sure nobody would injure us on the road. It was kind of like a protest if you think about it, they would treat it like that because people don’t respect cyclists at all. Cycling was more like a recreational activity and not a mode of transport like here.

"I enjoy being creative through problem solving, whether I'm in the store or outside doing asset maintenance on a path inspection."
Luz
Retail Assistant

And what does cycling mean to you now, after having worked at Good Cycles?

For me personally, using the e-bikes during the work shift meant freedom to discover new parts of the city and take in the landscape, the open spaces. I realise now how important cycling is in Australia and how empowering it is to own a bicycle, to use it for everyday tasks. It’s so much safer here compared to Mexico. For example, here schools have bike cages and everywhere you go there is a place to lock your bike on the street.

Overcoming negative stereotypes in the cycling industry and providing quality service to our customers is something Luz has become passionate about since joining Good Cycles. Gaining communication skills in Good Spaces and transferring those skills in our retail stores has given Luz confidence and stability in her life.

Curious about joining our crew?

Visit our Good Jobs page and see what opportunities await you.

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Announcing the winners of the Membership March Prize Pool

We have had a stellar Membership March and Good Cycles would like to thank everyone who signed up this month for their care and generosity. You are making a difference in the lives of young people overcoming their barriers to employment. And now, the moment you have all been waiting for … 

Membership March 2024 Prize Winners

Two month Lug+Carrie subscription: Peter E.

Bridge Road Brewers Prize Pack: Hilton S.

$250 Good Cycles Voucher: Laura S.

2 FYXO Melburn Roobaix TicketsCathy R.

Vittoria road tyres and Vittoria t-shirt: Jules F.

Vittoria MTB tyres: Corey M.

Vittoria gravel tyres: Miwa T.

Lime credit voucher: Simon W., Ben M.

Purpose Precinct Prize Pack: Nathaniel F.

Homie $50 voucher: Sam G., Martin W. 

Moon Meteor-X Auto 450 Lumens Lightset,  Good Cycles drink bottle, Rock “n” Roll Gold Chain lube Prize Pack: Matt O., Clare H., Rebecca M., Luke H., Jess H., Bec M.

Merida drink bottle, Merida t-shirt, Rock “n” Roll Gold Chain lube Prize Pack: Tara L., David W., Russ M., Darren B., Ryan T., Ernesto N., Leon H., Simon T., Anthony B., Emily C.

Rock “n” Roll Gold Chain lube and Good Cycles drink bottle Prize Pack: Josh R., Gabby S., Malcolm C., Karla B., David D., Matthew S., Francesco Z., Ed Z.

Congratulations to our prize pack winners!

We hope our Membership March winners enjoy their rewards. Feel free to drop in to any of our stores if you have any bike related questions, our staff will be sure to help you out. Be sure to check out your monthly newsletter for all things Good Cycles, in the meantime, happy riding everyone! 

100% of our profits go towards employing young people facing barriers to employment.

Make a positive impact on a young person’s life by getting your bike serviced with us. 

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Lucas’ experiences as an Operations Coordinator

At our fast-paced warehouse in North Melbourne you’ll find Lucas. He began working with us in 2020 and developed transferrable workplace skills that saw him move from car share cleaning to become our City Services Operations Coordinator. During our interview, Lucas reflected on how he learned to create a safe, more inclusive workplace for others, and how he works to create good cycles of change in the wider community.

What was an average day like in car share cleaning and which skills could you transfer to your current role?

Using an e-bike, I would carry cleaning equipment to various work sites in Metro Melbourne. Typically, I would clean up to 14 car share vehicles per shift, completing work orders after they had been cleaned. I think time management and taking responsibility were two skills I transferred to my role as Operations Coordinator. Working under time constraints prepared me to stay focused while coordinating tasks in the warehouse. And even though I am based in the office, I still get to go out into the CBD to do grouting and lock removals which helps break up my day.

Were there any challenges in your role as Operations Coordinator that you had to overcome?

In the beginning, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome because other team members were older than me and they appeared to have more experience than me. This left me feeling like I didn’t deserve to be here. Another personal challenge was overcoming social anxiety when talking to the staff. It used to make me feel uncomfortable because I went from being part of the team to transitioning into a leadership role. I would notice people talking to me differently, but I persevered to become more secure in my position and gained confidence in the role. I’ve also taken steps to make staff feel more comfortable while working, which has provided me with a sense of purpose.

Tell us about some of the steps you’ve taken to make staff feel comfortable while they work.

I’m motivated towards helping make the workplace a more comfortable environment for feminine presenting staff because I didn’t come out as trans until after I began working here. When I started my transition, I experienced a different level of respect from men in the street based upon how I presented myself. I started to notice a huge disparity in how our feminine presenting staff were being treated when they went out into public to work. 

Incidents were going unreported as they were reluctant to speak up. It wasn’t fair to them, so I sat down to listen to their experiences so we could develop strategies about what we could do as a workplace to improve the situation. One thing we tried was sending people out in pairs and never being alone on the street for long. We also made the workplace more welcoming, creating safe spaces to share stories from the job. That meant we could bond over the good and the bad, and rely on each other if we ever needed help. The benefits were immediate and it has been a boost to the warehouse ever since.

"Being an ally is a worthwhile cause and something I am passionate about."
Lucas
Office Coordinator

What has been a highlight for you while you’ve been working here?

Some of our staff used to struggle coming to work on time and found it difficult to focus. When our Youth Coaches guided them, you could see a change. Their work ethic improved and they were arriving to work with a sense of purpose. Doing the simple things right and seeing them accomplish their goals reminded me why I enjoy working at Good Cycles.

Lucas embraces our mission of creating good cycles of change. He spreads positivity by dedicating himself to leadership and being an ally for underrepresented staff members. His willingness to do the right thing is something we should all strive for, whatever our role in life is.

Curious about joining our crew?

Visit our Good Jobs page and see what opportunities await you.