‘Freedom To Go Where You Need To’
A full-time college student, part-time tutor, multi-band musician, and volunteer, Willow’s days are long—often 12 to 15 hours when classes are in session. “It keeps me busy,” she says, “and limits how much I have to go back and forth between home and campus.”
Willow received a bike through Upcycle Bikes’ distribution partner the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. She describes the experience as “absolutely amazing.”
“Home,” however, has been unstable for Willow. While attending college in mid-Michigan, she was evicted from her off-campus apartment following a landlord dispute. With no shelter options nearby, she relocated to Grand Rapids in 2023 in search of support. She spent six months in a short-term shelter, followed by a year in a youth-focused program before aging out.
Since then, Willow has moved between Airbnbs with rotating roommates—a stressful and expensive reality, but the only option she’s found with an eviction on her record. “I have a place to sleep, but I don’t have a home,” Willow says.
One steady presence throughout this instability has been the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation (GRTF). Through GRTF, Willow has found community, help updating vital documents, and volunteer opportunities. She also joined their TRANSportation program, through which she received a bike at no cost from Upcycle Bikes.
Her previous bike was lost during the eviction and replacing it hadn’t been financially possible. Now, Willow bikes to campus, work, appointments, grocery stores, and bus stops. “It's allowed me to save a lot of money and a lot of time on transportation,” Willow shares.
Those are savings she can invest in her future. Since re-enrolling last summer, she’s earned a spot on the President’s List at Grand Rapids Community College and is pursuing an associate degree to become a computer support specialist.
She remains hopeful to find stable housing and is grateful for the community of support she has to help her. “Having the freedom to get where you need to go is vital,” Willow says, “no matter your living situation.”
This story was featured in Upcycle Bikes’ 2025 Annual Impact Report. Explore the full report here.
“Having the freedom to get where you need to go is vital,” Willow says, “no matter your living situation.”