Organizers with Dowagiac-based nonprofit The Stepping Stone want to help get area youth back to the basics.

The organization, which was started in March of 2012, has been working with local youth to help them become a little less connected to their smartphones and little more connected to each other.

“Technology is great, but we need to get kids back to basics, get them used to talking to people and building up their work ethic,” said Ester Stanley, business administrator with The Stepping Stone.

This spring, the organization will work to further this mission by having its members build and repair around 50 bikes, which they will then be able to use for organized bike rides, Stanley said.

Children and teens are given a number of tasks and activities to help build their interpersonal skills throughout the year, including mowing lawns, painting projects and volunteering with the elderly, Stanley said.

Since its inception, The Stepping Stone has worked with children, teens and adults throughout the community, helping them gain skills and attributes demanded by the current job market. The goal is to help build up participants’ work ethic, attitude and self-confidence to help them find and maintain a job.

“We do a lot of work with veterans and the unemployed,” Stanley said. “We’re not trying to carry them. We’re willing to get involved, but, more importantly, we’re trying to show them ways to support themselves.”

Stanley and others in The Stepping Stone began formulating plans to launch the initiative four years ago to reduce local unemployment numbers. The group has been meeting with local leaders and employers to try and build a support network to help get the unemployed back on their feet.

“We’re trying to create some jobs, and we’re going to create some jobs,” Stanley said.

In addition, the group is also helping local entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground, helping to fund new business ideas using grant money.

For its spring project, the organization is asking for local residents to donate used or new bikes, along with parts, spray paint or other related items the youths can use to repair them.

For information on how to donate, call 269-782-0323 or email at admin@thesteppingstoneback2basics.com or drop bikes off at 108 Grand Blvd. in Dowagiac.