Workers on Wheels helps J1 student workers reach their destination
Summer on the North Shore brings thousands of visitors to the community, and Cook County’s hospitality businesses are staffed up to provide the food and lodging those visitors need. Many of those hospitality workers are international students here on the J1 Visa summer work travel program, which allows full-time students to spend a summer working and living in the United States.
It’s no secret that those J1 student workers are vital to the local tourism economy, and many of them work multiple jobs. But how do they get to work? That’s where the Workers on Wheels program comes in. Started in 2010 by volunteers at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Grand Marais, the progam began with a small fleet of 15 bikes and has grown considerably since then. WTIP spoke with Pastor Enno Limvere and program manager Jeff Kern about the program.
“We’re up to like 170 [bikes] now, and the kids are up to, I think, around 60 kids this year,” says Kern. “It’s an amazing variety. This year it’s a lot of Romanians, but they come from all over the world. It’s a treasure to have them here.”
Andreea, a J1 student from Romania returning to Grand Marais for the 4th time, works at Voyageur Brewing Company and Angry Trout Café.
“The bike is great,” says Andrea. “We are so lucky having Jeff, to be honest, because for me, I live up on the hill, a little bit further from up here. And Jeff, he was always there, giving me the best bike I could ever have.”
Vicki is a Romanian J1 student returning for her 3rd season, this year working at Voyageur Brewing Company and Crosby Bakery.
“I use the bikes from the church because they provide very good service,” says Vicki. “And every time I call Jeff with an issue with my bike, he came straight to me, and he fixed my bike. My chain even broke, and he came right away to fix my chain. I appreciate him so much.”
Kern manages the program and repairs the bikes, along with longtime volunteer Steve Deschene, but they are seeking more volunteers to help out. Contact the church at (218) 387-2113 or email office@grandmaraisucc.org to inquire about volunteering or to donate a bike.
Chuck Olsen August 17, 2024
