New bike share program at A Place Called Home

Last fall, A Place Called Home’s emergency shelter in Lindsay was awarded $5,000 in grant funding from the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes Community Capacity Grant to embark on a new bikeshare program to provide free, accessible transportation to their shelter residents.

After receiving expert advice from Sandra Patrick, owner of Down to Earth outdoor store in Lindsay, four beautiful Electra Townie bikes, equipped with front baskets and locks, complete with bike rack were purchased for the new shelter’s bike share program.

Jen Lopinski, fund development coordinator at A Place Called Home in Lindsay says, “Our agency has always dreamed of providing our clients with access to free transportation to help them get to important appointments such as a doctor’s appt or a job interview and now thanks to the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes Community Capacity Grant, that dream has come true. Having access to free transportation will increase our client’s independence and self efficiency, bolstering self esteem and positives outcomes.”

Shantal Ingram, co-executive director of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes says, “Having access to transportation is necessary to carry out some of the day-to-day tasks of everyday life. We are pleased to support the bike share program”.

For questions about A Place Called Home’s Bike Share program, contact Jen Lopinski at: or (705) 878-6817.