Directors
Aaron Marques
I got involved with Charlie’s Freewheels in 2008 because I love bikes and I love our city. I am interested in education and it has been so wonderful to see people come alive as soon as they get tools in their hands. I think the 'hands-on' time that the program offers is a really important supplement to the education most of us get. In my work with CFW I've learnt; problem solving, team work and doing things with a sense of humour. So much laughter!
Josh Farr
As a co-founder of Charlie’s Freewheels I continue to support its ongoing operations by helping manage its finances and organization. When not working on CFW, Josh enjoys reading a good paperback, going on canoe trips, exploring Toronto neighborhoods with his wife, and following industry news on micro-finance.
Zoe Hayes
I have been a part of Charlie’s Freewheels since the winter of 2008 and have found it a joy working with everyone else in the project from the very beginning. I am continually amazed at the way that things always seem to come together when we put our mind to it. My background is in community education and the arts. I love biking and making good snacks for CFW (and eating them too!).
Emma McIlveen-Brown
Charlie was a good friend of mine. On top of being generally awesome, he built me a bike, taught me a bit about how to care for it, and inspired me in so many ways. I helped develop CFW to reflect some of Charlie's ideals and to maintain some of the diverse connections that he made in life. Beyond Freewheels, I like art projects and have training in School and Clinical Child Psychology with a special focus on motor control in ADHD.
Derek Chadbourne
I have been involved with bikes, community and charitable pursuits for over twenty years. I became involved with Charlie’s Freewheels when Aaron and Emma approached me about the job for head teacher/mechanic. CFW has been one of the best experiences of my life. Without Charlie's I would have never have met the amazing people involved and I certainly would not have had the pleasure of working with such incredible young people.
Youth Organizing Committee
Azam Abowath
Is currently studying Accounting at George Brown College. Became involved with Charlie's Freewheels after graduating from the first session in 2009.
Thanks to Charlie's Freewheels, I have been able to develop skills beyond building bikes. From helping organize future sessions, to designing and running the shop, I've been able to gain experience I never thought possible. In short, I owe CFW a lot for my growth.
Amer Choudhury
A graduated student pursuing a career in Aerospace Engineering. I love riding bikes and thanks to Charlies Freewheels, I also now have the skills and techniques to fix my my bike if needed. I got involved with Charlie’s Freewheels through Pathways to Education as a participant of the program. I am currently volunteering my time as much as i can to help expand this program and its initiatives.
Abdulkarim Muhaseen
I was a student participant of the very first Charlie’s Freewheels during the summer of 2009. I remember coming out of the pilot program equipped with a new found appreciation for all things related to bikes and I discovered that riding a customized machine that I built was a truly liberating experience! Currently I'm helping out with the organizational aspect of the program.
Kevin Van
Currently studying life sciences, I realize that bike advocacy is as important for the community, as it is for one’s health. Through CFW, I learned that that with the right people, and the right amount of resources, opportunities are just around the corner, and with a simple idea comes big change. Having gone through the CFW program, and now working as a junior mechanic and a member of the youth committee.
Catherine Nguyen
I was a past participant of the very first CFW session of 2009. I learned about the anatomy and the tools of the bike and making some new friends along the way. I got the opportunity to work alongside with the other enthusiastic learners as well with a group of awesome mentors and mechanics. I got a lot of great advice from them to keep in mind for the long run on how to fix bikes.
Mellissa Diep
Charlies Freewheels is one of the best things I have experienced. It's so much more than just doing the hours and getting a bike. For me, it opened up a whole new community and that would have otherwise gone by unnoticed. There's just a great sense of support and togetherness as you work on your bike while having a totally irrelevant conversation in the meanwhile.
Mechanic
I have been a mechanic at various shops throughout Toronto for the past 3 years. I am very excited to be part of the Charlie’s team. I'm here to contribute my enthusiasm for learning and bike fixin' talent for the fine customer of Charlie’s Bike Shop.