BIDDEFORD — A youth development organization that strives to inspire local children to overcome obstacles has received some welcome support and a generous donation.

Earlier this week, representatives of Biddeford’s Community Bicycle Center announced the facility is the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to provide youth programs that connect kids with mentors and get them out there — aspiring toward the future, persisting through challenges and exploring the world around them.

The Maine Community Foundation is headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, and Mars Hill. It works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people.

According to the National Mentoring Partnership, one out of three children between the ages 8 to 18 do not have a trusted adult outside their family to whom they can turn for advice and guidance.

“CBC programs are rooted in the power of consistent human connection,” said Melissa Cilley, CBC interim executive. “NMP research shows that the connections fostered through these relationships impact both the mentor and the mentee; children and teens can see improvement academically and socially while our volunteers and peer mentors are building leadership skills and giving back to the community. It’s a win-win made possible through the support of donations and funds like the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation.“

The CBC has been serving Biddeford area youth for almost 20 years. Situated on seven acres adjacent to Clifford Park in Biddeford, the organization leverages volunteers and the great outdoors to connect more than 500 area kids each year and at no cost to participants.

Youth from across the region engage in bicycle-related and other hands-on activities and adventures after school, all summer and some weekends. There are also in-school programs through partnerships with area schools, and community partnership programs with other youth providers like the Boys and Girls Club.

Since the CBC’s inception as a volunteer-run program in January 2001 and its incorporation in December 2005, this notoriously cost-free, low/no barrier program (“just walk in; we’ll take care of the rest”) has become an essential part of a healthy childhood for hundreds of kids, their siblings, and families in Biddeford and surrounding communities.

The CBC offers eight distinct programs in addition to civic engagement opportunities and educational programming four days-a-week through a codified partnership with the Biddeford School Department. Its core program is daily, drop-in open shop time for kids to connect and grow through hands-on bike repair with adult and peer-to-peer mentors.

Beyond creating opportunities for leadership, job skill development, mentoring relationships, diverse educational pathways, free summer camp, and community outreach, the CBC provides young people with a safe space to build community, unplug, connect with positive people, and to simply belong.

Its approach to youth development is based on developmental asset research (what kids need to succeed) and geared toward developing critical life skills including reliance, problem-solving and goal-persistence. The CBC is focused on long-term outcomes, taking a strengths-based approach to increasing the protective factors that promote positive social-emotional health and social well-being, and integrating youth in physical fitness, outdoor recreation and mind/body health in the process.

CBC programs are available to any child in grades 3 and up.

For more information, visit www.communitybike.net.

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