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Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Campus

Media Credit: BUS 2200 SLCC BUS 2200 students pose with members of Bikers Against Child Abuse. From left to right: Morgan Sjboblom, Whitney Clift, Bonehead, Kyle Holbrook, Speshul Ed, Chase Minhondo, Spock, and Jeff Butterfield. [Click to enlarge]

Five SLCC Business Communications students met with four "tough bikers" earlier this month to gather information about Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA, for a class research project. Kyle Holbrook and his team of students want more people to know what BACA stands for.

BACA is a non-profit organization, which means the only ones who really profit from all their hard work are the children. BACA is a well-structured and cautious organization. Before becoming a member, one must first pass an FBI background check.

BACA originated here in Utah in 1995, and is now a global organization. It includes bikers from all walks of life. One thing this diverse group has in common is their commitment to help abused children. They connect with these children in many ways and do their best to help them feel safe.

When BACA first hears about a child being abused, they organize a ride to the child's home and adopt him or her into the BACA family. The child becomes a "BACA child." This lets children know they are not alone; they can count on the support of a BACA member at any time. Bill "Bonehead" Rowe, one of the BACA members, even escorts some of the "BACA children" home from school every day on his lunch break. This shows the commitment of the members of the organization.

BACA also organizes several charity rides to raise funds for therapy and other expenses children may need. They develop a long-term supportive relationship and provide support in court when a child testifies. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate child abuse so there would be no further need for BACA.

As these students spoke to the BACA members, they got a look into the minds and hearts of these intimidating bikers and soon discovered they are not scary, but caring. The Wasatch Chapter of BACA is even going to attend a presentation Kyle and his team is giving on their research findings and final report.

The president of the Wasatch Front Chapter, "Speshul Ed" Crowell, said his favorite part about his work is "seeing a child take her life back." BACA children are transformed. They move from being afraid of the world they live in to being happy children with new friends they can count on.

The bikers described their cause as an emotional and life-altering experience. Kyle and his team could sense their devotion. The team of students met these "tough bikers" to learn about the cause, but they came away with much more. The students are even considering getting background checks to ride with the Wasatch Front Chapter of BACA this spring.

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