EAST CHICAGO | Ron Hayes sees potential in every child he encounters.

"You all got the world in your hands," Hayes told some 25 youngsters gathered outside his home Thursday afternoon. "These are all my children."

A community activist and street minister, Hayes has spent the last 25 years mentoring some of the city's most at-risk youth and working to keep them away from drugs and gangs. During that time, he's made inroads in their lives by offering them their own bicycles, after they pledge to stay on the straight and narrow path.

While some people may see a bicycle as just two wheels, Hayes said it represents much more for children.

"When you give them a bike, you give them ownership," he said. "You give them responsibility."

Hayes regularly fixes up used bicycles in his Carey Street garage and gives them away. Last week, some 200 children showed up near his home for a chance to win one of a handful of bicycles.

"The kids went crazy over them," Hayes said.

Now, Hayes is out of bikes and in need of new bicycles and ones needing some repair. He is asking anyone with a new or used bicycle available to donate to contact him.

Shawn Brown, 14, has been learning the ins and outs of bicycle repair from Hayes. And while he's picked up some mechanical skills, he's also learned some valuable life lessons.

"He's taught me that it's important to have good grades, and he's taught me how to be a gentleman," Brown said.

Hayes said it's key to surround young people with positive activities and positive role models in order to help them achieve great things. The Rev. Patricia Brown, a partner in Hayes' Humble Slave Street Ministry team, said children today are dealing with problems previous generations didn't encounter.

"We have a lot of stress put on families," she said. "Children feel the hurt when their parents divorce, when there's abuse in the home."

Brown said by stressing the importance of education and introducing them to everyday people who've reached some of their dreams, children are encouraged to reach higher.

"These children are put here with gifts. They just have to find a way to use those gifts," she said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Those wishing to donate a new or used bicycle to the Humble Slave Street Ministry team's effort can call Ron Hayes at (219) 398-4001.