From Curiosity to Connection: Liz’s Volunteer Journey with Project Success
Liz Bolsoni first heard about Project Success through a mix of everyday connections — a coworker whose kids are Minneapolis students; passing by the building on her daily commute; and conversations with others in the local cycling community. One connection had mentioned the Bike Tech certificate course at Project Success and that it was connected to a familiar name, Quality Bike Products, where Liz had interned in college. She decided to apply to be a volunteer for the certificate course in January of 2025 and is now in her fourth trimester supporting these institute classes.
In the PS Institute, Liz’s goal is to show up as a consistent, supportive presence for students each week. Someone who listens, encourages, and helps them work through challenges and obstacles. Whether she is assisting the instructor with a demonstration, handing out tools, or working one-on-one with a student to troubleshoot a mechanical issue, she values the connections made throughout each of these Institute classes. “My favorite part is getting to know the students,” Liz shared. “Seeing their friendships grow and hear about their goals and their lives — that’s what makes this so meaningful.”
Over the course of each trimester, Liz has watched as students grow not only in their technical skills, but also in their confidence. She’s seen students who start out quiet begin to ask questions, help one another, and take ownership over the new life skills they have learned. Even as she supports students, Liz has experienced that same growth herself. In the 5el week of the certificate, students learn wheel truing, a skill that has found daunting. “It was something I never learned how to do, and never thought I could do,” she said. But after the instruction and demonstration, she was able to add this skill to her repertoire, and that moment of discovery has stuck with her. “It made me realize how empowering it is to learn something you didn’t think you could do,” she shared. “That’s exactly what we want students to feel.”
Monday nights at the PS Institute are a “bright spot” in Liz’s weeks, filled with laughter, connection, and purpose. And she credits her volunteer work with helping her better understand herself and what she wants to do moving forward. “This work has shaped what I want to do in the future,” she reflects. “[I realized that] if I love this so much, I should find a way to do this more often and make it part of my life’s work.”
Liz sees bicycles as more than just a hobby, but as a tool for independence, access, and community. Through her time as a Project Success volunteer, Liz has helped dozens of students build not only technical skills for maintaining and repairing bikes, but also life skills that extend beyond the classroom. While that student growth is the focus of her volunteer work, Liz has also discovered more about herself as well.
