They wear leather, ride loud motorcycles and travel in packs. Many have tattoos, piercings and gruff exteriors. But each member of this motorcycle gang also has a heart of gold.
BACA was founded by John Paul “Chief” Lilly, a licensed clinical social worker and part-time faculty member at Brigham Young University. It started as an idea to help one wounded child. This child was eight years old at the time, and was so frightened of his perpetrators that he would not leave his residence. Chief, having had kind and loving experiences with bikers in his youth was moved to include this boy in his biker circle.
Within weeks, this boy was seen all over town riding his bike and playing with other children. The idea to rally the biker community in defense and in support of children was actualized in 1995 when the first ride was held to visit wounded children and adopt them into the biker family.
From there it was only a matter of time before the word spread quickly about what was happening in Utah. Shortly after forming the first chapter in Utah, another chapter was formed in Utah, then Oklahoma and Texas. BACA now has 139 chapters in 31 U.S. states, as well as six chapters in Australia. A new chapter in Italy may soon form, and BACA is looking to start another chapter in South Africa.
All potential members must have FBI background checks, attend 80 percent of BACA meetings and events during their first year, and receive unanimous approval from the board of directors before becoming a patched member.
Members of BACA work strictly on a referral basis. They will not approach a victim or their family unless the authorities have been contacted, the case is being processed within the justice system and the family approves. When they do receive a referral, a BACA liaison contacts the family and an initial ride to the child’s house is organized. Neighboring chapters are invited, which has meant 70 or more riders showing up at the child’s house.
The child is given a vest with a BACA patch sewn on the back, bumper stickers and other gifts. The child is also given the name and number of two nearby BACA members who act as primary contacts. The child is instructed to call anytime they may feel scared or need the presence of their BACA family — always with their parent or guardian’s knowledge. The bikers will go to the child’s house to provide any necessary reassurance to feel safe and protected. They are available for support at court and parole hearings. If asked, they will attend interviews with them or stay with them if they’re alone and frightened. BACA members will also escort children to school or on other errands. Once a child feels confident and safe again, interaction with BACA usually slows to semiannual parties — one at Christmas and one during the summer — or occasional phone calls.
BACA works with police and the court system, as well as organizations like the Division of Child and Family Services, filling a niche that no one else can. Any money BACA does receive through donations is used to print flyers, cover the cost of gifts for children, and occasionally to pay for therapy.
No man stands so straight as when he stoops to help a boy. ~Knights of Pythagoras
Website: http://bacaworld.org/
Charity Code:
1008 Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Wasatch Chapter
