Cycles to Wings

Youth Safety Commitment

Effective August 20, 2026

The safety, dignity, privacy, and well-being of every young person are central to the mission of Cycles to Wings. This public commitment summarizes the standards we are building into our programs. It does not replace the organization’s detailed internal child-protection procedures, role descriptions, training, or reporting requirements.

Our commitments

• Create respectful, age-appropriate, trauma-informed environments.
• Use appropriate screening, orientation, supervision, and role-specific training for adults working directly with youth.
• Establish clear boundaries for physical contact, transportation, electronic communication, photography, social media, gifts, and one-to-one interactions.
• Use parent or guardian permission and emergency-contact procedures when required for participation.
• Limit access to participant information and collect only what is reasonably needed.
• Respond promptly to safety concerns and prohibit retaliation against good-faith reporting.
• Follow applicable reporting laws and cooperate with appropriate authorities.

Expected conduct

Abuse, neglect, grooming, exploitation, harassment, bullying, sexual conduct, corporal punishment, degrading treatment, retaliation, and unauthorized private relationships with participants are prohibited. Adults must not ask a young person to keep safety-related secrets or move communications to an unapproved private channel.

Reporting an urgent concern

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Illinois, contact the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-252-2873 (1-800-25-ABUSE) or use the State of Illinois reporting resources. Do not delay an emergency or legally required report while waiting for a response from Cycles to Wings.

Organizational concerns

Concerns about conduct connected to a Cycles to Wings program may also be reported to info@cyclestowings.org. Please do not email highly sensitive details when a phone call to emergency services or the state hotline is appropriate.