Shifting Gears: How One 18-Year-Old Turned His Past Into a Movement for Local Youth
After being in and out of LC five times and losing his best friend, an 18-year-old founded Shifting Gears — free community events, mentorship, and a simple message: shift gears or stay stuck.
“Shift gears or stay stuck.”
Shifting Gears started earlier this year after its founder decided he wanted to take everything he'd been through and use it to help younger people avoid some of the same mistakes he made. From 14 to 16, he was in and out of LC five times, struggled with substances, and honestly didn't think his life was going anywhere. Losing his cousin and best friend Dominic at 19 was another huge part of what pushed him to actually do something instead of just talking about it.
He started Shifting Gears with the idea of giving kids positive people, positive places, and better things to do with their time. What started small has turned into free community events with basketball, football, soccer, food, haircuts, and other activities — but it's become a lot more than just events.
Community in motion
Kids of all ages at Shifting Gears
Beyond the events, he talks with kids one on one, runs questions of the day, helps connect them with opportunities and resources, and tries to give them somebody they know they can reach out to. The kids have also started getting involved in giving back themselves, doing things for people in the community.
Remarkably, he's just 18 and still works full time Monday through Friday while building all of this outside of work. He doesn't get paid to run Shifting Gears, and the events stay free for the kids. A lot of local businesses and people in the community have stepped up with food, supplies, their time, and different resources — which is really what has allowed it to keep growing.
Frankie Bachelder
The biggest thing for him is showing young people that where you're at right now doesn't have to be where you stay. That's where 'shift gears or stay stuck' comes from. He can't change what he did or what he went through — but he can use it to hopefully make the road a little different for the kid coming behind him.
Find out more about Shifting Gears
