Step into the woodworking shop at Well-Spring, and you might find more than handcrafted furniture or birdhouses in progress – you’ll find purpose in motion.
For resident Dr. Maurice Schwartz, the spacious, well-stocked workshop has become the heart of his community service. It’s where he works on bicycles as a volunteer for Bikesboro, a Greensboro-based nonprofit that refurbishes bikes and distributes them to individuals and families in need.
“I keep my tools there. It’s a great space – not just for me, but for anyone who wants to work on a hands-on project,” Maurice says. “Having access to a space like this makes it fun to stay involved and productive.”
Conveniently located near Greensboro’s Bicentennial Greenway, Well-Spring’s campus also makes it simple for residents to stay active outdoors. Maurice frequently bikes from Well Spring to nearby trails, combining fitness with his passion for service.
“The accessibility here is amazing. I can ride straight from Well-Spring to the greenway,” he says.
But it’s Maurice’s work with Bikesboro that truly sets his story apart and reflects the spirit of Well-Spring residents. After learning about the organization from a fellow cyclist, Maurice began volunteering by fixing up used bikes to be donated. Many of the bicycles go to underserved children, local families and individuals who rely on them for transportation. The bikes are distributed through community partners such as Urban Ministry and local scout troops.
Maurice, a retired Notre Dame chemistry professor and a longtime cycling enthusiast, says he was already sitting on a collection of bike parts and supplies when he first connected with Bikesboro. “It felt like the right fit. There’s a real need in Greensboro for this kind of work.” Since then, he’s repaired more than 50 bikes, each one a small but meaningful contribution to someone’s life.
His bike repair skills were largely self-taught, refined over the years during trips to Italy where he stayed at a hotel catering to cyclists. The owner – also a bike lover – taught him valuable repair techniques that now serve a new purpose back home.
For Maurice, retirement hasn’t meant stepping back; it’s meant stepping into community. And at Well-Spring, that lifestyle is encouraged at every turn. Whether it’s an on-campus amenity such as the woodworking shop, proximity to outdoor trails or simply a culture of purpose-driven living, residents here are empowered to stay active and engaged with the world around them.
“Well-Spring is a wonderful place to live,” he says. “The staff are supportive, the amenities are excellent, and I feel like I’m truly part of something.”
At Well-Spring, residents aren’t just enjoying retirement – they’re using it to make a difference.