Vision

Empowering youth in Haïti through cycling -

by expanding access, building skills, and opening doors in ways that last.

We don’t just see bikes. We see a whole ecosystem around them: young riders with the right equipment, mentors who believe in them, safe places to train, and real opportunities for growth. Our vision is to help that ecosystem take root and grow across Haïti.

Where We’re Headed

Thrive Haïti’s vision lives on two timelines:

The next 3-5 years: building a strong, reliable foundation through Vélo Lakay
The next 10-20 years: a sustainable, locally led cycling infrastructure impacting generations

Both timelines are connected. What we build now - through Vélo Lakay, Ride & Fête, Mixers, century rides, and early partnerships - sets up everything that comes next.

3-5 Years • A Strong & Reliable Base

Initial focus is on turning today’s momentum into a stable system for riders and partners.

1. A dependable Vélo Lakay pipeline

We envision Vélo Lakay operating as a steady, predictable flow of support:

Regular collection drives and partner drop-off points
Scheduled shipments that riders and clubs can plan around
Simple, transparent systems for tracking where gear goes

Consistent and well-organized support can improve access to education, health services, and opportunity in low-resource settings. We’re adapting that logic to the Haïtian cycling context.

2. Early programs that serve as “proof of concept”

Within 3-5 years, we aim to see:

Pilot youth cycling camps in at least one or two regions
Training days or clinics that focus on skills, tactics, safety, and confidence
First waves of competition support (helping riders get to events, race-ready gear for clubs)
Initial educational support, small scholarships tied to participation and commitment

Small pilots can still be meaningful - but should be efficient, documented, and repeatable.

3. Deeper partnership network

In the short term, Thrive Haïti is working toward:

Core bike shops and brand partners who see us as part of their long-term social impact
Collaborating with Haïtian community groups for locally grounded initiatives
Joining with schools, youth and health-focused groups, linking cycling to overall well-being

Youth nonprofits worldwide have proven that pairing gear and programs with intentional partnerships sustains and grows their work over many years.

4. Clear stories, early outcomes, & purpose

Within this 3-5 year window, we also aim to:

Track simple, meaningful outcomes - like riders served, clubs supported, and youth engaged
Capture stories of riders whose lives are being shaped by the support they receive
Responsibly share those stories with donors, partners, and the Haitian community to show the impact, and not just write about it
Highlight storied of cyclists in Haïti and beyond, sharing their purpose for riding. Connecting with the global cycling community.

These early outcomes become the foundation for more ambitious long-term goals.

10-20 Years • A Generational Impact

A self-sustaining cycling culture and infrastructure making meaningful impact in Haïti.

1. A network of Haïtian-led cycling hubs

Over 10-20 years, Thrive Haïti imagines:

Local cycling hubs or clubs in multiple cities with stable leadership and consistent support
Alumni riders from our earlier programs returning as coaches, mentors, and mechanics
Clubs that can host their own events, camps, and outreach, with Thrive Haïti as a partner and connector rather than the sole driver

2. Integrated pathways for youth

In the long term, we want cycling to be a pathway, not a side activity.

That could look like:

Young athletes from local clubs advancing to higher level training and competition
Riders earning opportunities for education, leadership roles, or employment connected to their involvement in cycling - like coaching, mechanics, event organizing, or community work
Partnerships with schools or youth-serving organizations that see cycling as part of their approach to health, resilience, and leadership development

Sports-based youth development programs have shown that linking physical activity with education, mentoring, and real pathways after high school - yields better outcomes in both life skills and long-term opportunities. Cycling can mirror this in the Haïtian context.

3. Cycling as a respected part of community life

Twenty years from now, Thrive Haïti envisions:

Cycling being widely recognized in Haïti as a positive, aspirational activity for youth
Haïtian culture and cycling events draw local crowds and gain regional attention
A stronger connection between Haitian riders and the global cycling community, with shared learning, support, and representation

In this future, we are still present, but as part of a larger web of Haïtian-led initiatives, partners, clubs, and institutions using cycling as a tool for community development.

How We Plan to Get There

To move toward this vision, we’re committed to:

Starting small, then scaling what works - Pilot programs first, expansion second
Listening to Haïtian riders and leaders - Letting local voices shape what programs look like
Transparent systems - Tracking gear, support, and outcomes so we can learn and improve
People first - Prioritizing youth, coaches, and community partners over just “numbers”
Storytelling - Using footage, data, and real voices to show the mission's impact.

Your Role in This Vision

No single organization can create this kind of future alone.

Riders, donors, bike shops, brands, Haïtian community leaders, volunteers, and advisors - all have a part in this story. When you support Thrive Haïti, you’re not just backing one project or one event. You’re helping to build the conditions for a different future for young cyclists in Haïti.

A future where:

Bikes are tools for growth and opportunity
Young people are seen, supported, and equipped
The next generation of Haïtian riders has the space, and the support, to truly thrive

That is the vision we’re riding toward.

And we’re inviting you to ride with us.