My name is Yvonne Rucker. I am a resident of Southfield, Mi. Currently, I am working in my community promoting diversity and inclusion through the sport of velodrome cycling. I am trying to build a bridge of communities by removing children from the geographically boundaries, which separates the ethnicities in the Detroit and the boundaries between the suburbanites and Detroit communities. My company, BikeVON, is promoting fitness and health for all children through the participation in the “invisible” sport of velodrome cycling.
Mission Statement:
BikeVON is an organization designed to promote diversity and inclusion through the sport of cycling. The program to engender self-confidence and empowerment for the underrepresented groups of women and youth of color.
The program for this summer is:
In the cycling world, there are several categories of racing styles. One of the lesser known styles is track racing, a team or individual event in which competitors ride fixed-gear – or non-coasting -- bicycles with no brakes on an oval track called a velodrome. A velodrome is typically made of wood and has ramped corners to accommodate a racer’s high speed in sharp turns; they may be built as outdoor or indoor tracks.
According to USA Cycling there are:
29 velodromes in 22 states
29 cities with velodromes
19,355 cities in the USA
Detroit is one of the 19,326 cities WITHOUT a velodrome.
Detroit is FORTUNATE because there is one velodrome - only 25 miles outside of the city Rochester Hills, MI.
Because of the invisibility of the sport, BikeVON and the International Velodrome of Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills, Michigan provided a motivator of a stipend for the children. They will receive $270 for 6 weeks of training to “ride” a bike. Training is 3 days a week for 2 hours. All equipment and coaching is free. Since this is a little known spot, Wayne State University’s Kinesiology Department will conduct yearlong study on the sport. This is the information needed to apply for funding.
Please before you suggested to ask for any services, I have asked, community organizations, major non-profits for kids in the health, wellness and fitness no one is giving for these assorted reasons: *remember the track in this area is 1 out of 29 in the USA. and no it is not portable*
1. Community organizations will only grant money if the program is within their community.
2. Major grantors want the program within the city limits.
3. Major grantors want the $$$ IRS and audit records.
4. What can I provide in advertising coverage?
5. Church organizations did not want to donated $$$ to support the stipend or bus use because the church did not want to be liable.
Online I raised $2,500 out of pocket expenses are over that. From printing materials, paying people, travel expenses, web development etc. I am leaking money. I gave a fund raiser is March and did not make ANY money.
My target audience is kids 13 - 18 years old. I have been in contact with Boys and Girls clubs, community and youth organizations, schools, churches, youth build a bike programs and bike shops. In March, I went to a youth meeting an 26 kids signed up. I took just name and email address.
Going in, I knew transportation was going to be any issue. School bus rental quotes were anywhere from $148 - $250 per trip and there are 18 trips in the program. For me to rent a van then there are bonding issues. When the contribution $$$ topped off, I was asking the parents to car pool and I would supply gas $$$.
I started with 10 kids. By the March fund raiser there were 7 and by the first weekend in May two kids.
During May we have try-outs we offered to give each child $10 to come for try-outs. If 3 kids from the same organization came they would receive $13. Parent / guardian had to come to sign liability waivers. For the first weekend on one came. Graduations and other things going on.
For the second weekend 4 students signed up at one school and I was counting on another to contact me. The transportation company needs at least 10 days notice. These wonderful people were working on a 3 day turn around for me. I rented a school bus. On that Saturday no one came. The reason were busy schedules and parents could not come with the child.
With the holiday weekend approaching, I did not even think about organization anything. I am emailing and knocking on doors with a start date of June 7th.
Questions:
1. I need a fund raiser to replenish my funds. If I have to pay for transportation, I cannot use the money for kids' stipend. My savings are dwindling.
2. How to motivate the kids.
3. Advertising. I have written the local newspapers, television stations, the African American news paper. No one seems to think it is an interesting story to cover.
Help!!!