FCA Lakeview House Bicycle Fund

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that are the most rewarding. Learning to ride a bike is one of them. Cycling is a fun and free activity that our residents can enjoy during the upcoming summer months. Riding a bike not only improves physical fitness, it also benefits our residents learning development and mental health. Research shows that students who ride a bike to school are more focused and ready to learn, compared with those who are driven. Taking part in regular physical activity also has links to increase happiness, as well as giving kids more opportunities to make social connections. Mental health conditions such as depression, stress, and anxiety can be reduced by regular bike riding. This is due to the effects of the exercise itself and because of the enjoyment that riding a bike can bring. Other benefits include:

• Helping the residents to get acquainted with the local area and feel part of it.
• Cycling allows the residents to get outside which allows natural sunlight that provides them with Vitamin D and ample fresh air
• It has been reported by many teachers that kids who walk or ride a cycle to school are more alert and ready to learn than those arriving by car.
• Good travel habits learned young last for a lifetime.
• Cyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic as compared to car drivers.

This fundraiser is to help raise money for Family & Children's Association's (FCA) Lakeview House residents to get bicycles and helmets. A bike represents so many things. It represents a sense of ownership, freedom, transportation, and most importantly, a sense of joy. Help us help our residents in making memories that will last a lifetime.

FCA's Lakeview House is a Community Residence that provides a therapeutic environment for adolescents with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who need a structured community setting to result in outcomes of successful functioning and integration into the family, community, or independent living. Lakeview House offers behavior management training with licensed Social Workers, Medication Management, monitoring, and health services with an on-site RN, as well as socialization skills and recreational activities provided by a Recreation Specialist. The program maintains a safe, family like and trauma sensitive environment that fosters emotional, intellectual, and physical growth while incorporating philosophies of strength family driven, and individualized care. Length of stay may vary from 12- 24 months. This program is certified through New York State Office of Mental Health.