'Ewa volunteer wins outstanding achievement award
By James Gonser
Advertiser Leeward Bureau
'EWA VILLAGES — The dirt and grime under Tim Derickson's fingernails are evidence that he is a hands-on guy. Through his work as director of the Friendship Bike & Skate Shop in 'Ewa Villages, a teacher and youth counselor of the Friendship Christian Schools, adviser of a youth Crusaders Club and the youth pastor of Friendship Bible Christian Church, his hands are very busy.
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Derickson, 30, also is active with several community service groups and on weekends can often be found working at a neighborhood cleanup project.
Award winner Tim Derickson checks spokes with help from 11-year-old Eric Victoria, left, and 12-year-old Kevin Pico.
Derickson's efforts toward youth development and community beautification were recognized May 23 during the Kapolei Outstanding Achievement Award ceremony at Ko Olina. The awards are sponsored by the Campbell Estate and are given annually to individuals, companies and groups that help to improve the lives of those who live and work in Kapolei.
"(Derickson) has directly impacted the lives of hundreds of young people and their families," said Dr. Robyn Yim, president of the Blood Bank of Hawai'i, while presenting him the award for community service.
"At a time when peer pressure abounds and the call of gangs, alcohol and drugs can lure some down a difficult road, he and the shop provide a safe haven."
The bike and skate shop was started in 1989 by Friendship Bible Church, an independent Baptist denomination. Derickson took over as director in 1994, just three days after earning his bachelor's degree from the International Baptist College in Tempe, Ariz. He lives in 'Ewa Beach with his wife and three young children.
Every day around 2:30 p.m., the bike shop begins to fill up with dozens of elementary and junior high school students who play video games, pool or ride skateboards on the ramps outside. Some stay until long after the official closing time at 5:30 p.m. and have to be encouraged to go home.
"It's a place where the kids can come and be themselves," Derickson said. "It's monitored by adults all the time, so any kid can come in, enjoy themselves, lose themselves in what they are doing and not be afraid of bullies or ridicule."
The shop is open to all children in the community and offers free parts and the use of tools to repair broken bicycles, skateboards and Rollerblades.
"All the parts we get donated to us go out for free. The only stipulation we put on the kids is they do the work here so we can make sure it is done correctly," Derickson said. "That way they leave with a safe bike."
Derickson said the idea behind the bike shop is building relationships.
"That is basically what the kids need," he said. "A majority of the kids we deal with are from broken homes. Many don't have a man's influence in their lives, which is very important. Interacting with them, allowing them to learn by example and giving them a good influence in their lives — that is a big thing."
Bike shop counselors also help children deal with any problems they might be having. All the children are invited, but not forced, to attend the church's youth program on Wednesday nights.
"It's available if they are interested," Derickson said. "They are all invited. Anyone is welcome."
As if he is not busy enough, Derickson is overseeing the creation of a new youth program called "Break Time," which is planned to provide activities during school breaks.
He said with more schools going to year-round schedules, activities are needed to fill the two- or three-week periods when rotating groups of students will be on break. The nonprofit Friendship Community Services Inc. is financing the program and building 11 portable buildings behind the bike shop for the effort.
In nominating Derickson for the KOA award, 'Ewa resident Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand said he is an unsung hero in the community.
"He has done so much for this community in a very quiet way and with very smooth interpersonal skills," Weygan-Hildebrand said. "Anyone who has worked with the youth for even just one day or has planned even just one event in the community should have a deeper appreciation of the tremendous discipline and skills that it takes to do what Tim Derickson is doing year in and year out."
Derickson said there are many people working to make 'Ewa a better place to live.
"The overall morale of the 'Ewa community is rising," he said. "People keep plugging away and not giving up. It's people that live in the community that care enough to do something about problems that make things happen.
"The fact that a KOA award came our way proves we are making a difference. The other (13) nominees are also doing their job. These are the people getting their hands dirty."
