USSF Current Programs

Adopt-A-Bike

Livingstone, Zambia

Early each morning, the 800 children who attend the Nakatindi Community School in Livingstone, Zambia, rise long before daybreak to begin their arduous unescorted four-hour walk to school down long dusty unpaved roads.

Most are orphans—helpless victims of war, disease and poverty. In the children’s villages, over 80 percent of the adult population is infected with AIDS. Although these children may have little now, they constantly dream of one day becoming doctors, teachers, scientists and artists.

But no matter how hard they may wish for a bright future, these ambitious dreams will never come true without an education.

Their long, difficult and sometimes dangerous daily walks to and from school are major roadblocks for these hopeful K-7 graders in receiving a proper education.

Our goal is to give each of these 800 children one donated bicycle to commute to school. Providing this transportation necessity will be instrumental in helping these young minds grow and reach their goals.

Highland Park, Michigan

This small Detroit suburb has a population of 17,000 people where over 42 percent live below the national poverty level. With a stubbornly high unemployment rate of 22 percent, Highland Park residents continually seek ways to overcome the burdening effects of the poor economy, grow a vibrant local community and work toward a productive future.

The most unfortunate victims of these economic woes are the children of Highland Park. With much of the hope for the city’s future relying on the children becoming productive leaders of the community, residents know that the children must have the skills and knowledge to succeed and education is the key. But economic hardship stands as major roadblock in getting the needed education, which includes lack of reliable transportation to school.

As a result, the USS Foundation has resolved to provide 100 bicycles to low income students at the Barber Focus School (K-8) and the Henry Ford Academy (K-8) to assist them in traveling to and from school.

Canton, Ohio

This city of 78,000 residents has been severely buffeted by economic woes for numerous years as American manufacturing jobs were exported to overseas factories. This once vibrant community has steadily lost population as discouraged job seekers migrated to other states. Those who have stayed are working to transform their city to meet the economy of tomorrow.

While Canton’s residents work together to revitalize their community, they know that a critical factor in achieving success is developing a well-educated workforce. But the economic problems of today make this goal difficult as parents often struggle to provide just the basic necessities for their children.

To help this hopeful community, the USS Foundation will provide 100 bicycles to elementary students at Belden Elementary School to travel to and from school. At Belden, Over 96 percent of the students live below the poverty level while the city’s overall unemployment rate continues to stubbornly exceed 15 percent. Students receiving the bicycles will be chosen according to economic need.

Please consider bringing the hope of a brighter future to one or more of these young minds by a generous donation to the Adopt-A-Bike Program.