“The BMOA Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation and the BMOA Wheels of Dreams Bus programs are tackling important problems – motivating young adults to stay in school by providing educational tools to help them avoid the negative impact of gangs, drugs and violence,” said Vicki Chancellor, President BMOA Atlanta Region.

“Along with high school administrators, teachers and guidance counselors we provide supplemental educational lessons to help urban, at-risk low-income young adults with the support they need during the critical high school years.”

"The BMOA approach is innovative and effective.  We provide the Wheels of Dreams Bus at schools as well as special events. The programs on the BMOA Wheels of Dreams Bus and our Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation Student Motivation Rallies help them to do better academically and become better prepared for the world of college and work, “said Chancellor.

“Specifically, our partners and sponsors understand that one approach alone will not save our students, our families and our community. The need for our grassroots help is clear. In high poverty communities more than one half of our senior students who enter high school do not complete high school. We help these students reengage in and connect to entrepreneur ideas, college scholarships, money management, meaningful work and community service," added Chancellor.

“Every community and business seeks to create a secure foundation for its future. We realize that establishing a link between the workforce of today and the workforce of tomorrow is one of the most effective methods of assuring future success,” said Chancellor.

John Hurt is the President of the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation. Floyd Sims is a past president of the BMOA Atlanta Region. The 30-member Black McDonald's Operator Association, BMOA Atlanta Region is the sponsor of this colorful and exciting entrepreneurial awareness bus.

"The mission of the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation is to provide positive role models, mentors, entrepreneurial skills and employment opportunities to our youth. We have to take back the community from negative influences of drugs, gangs and violence. We hope to provide the message of hard work and discipline to achieve dreams that help our youth feel good about themselves. We join hands with students, schools and parents to help our youth succeed and become responsible and productive members of our community," said Hurt.

"The BMOA and our contributing partners and sponsors started the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation at the same time we began the design and build process of the Wheels Bus. With the help of many people organizations and business, in March of 2003 we began to operate our collective dream of a program that would impact the lives of youth for years to come. We had this dream that became a reality; an on-going entrepreneurial educational program to provide youth opportunities and mentors to explore their interest, broaden their horizons, develop their talents and creativity," said Sims.

"We not only help youth find a bridge over the digital divide we reach a diverse student audience in a one-on-one safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment where they are held accountable and become responsible for their choices," said Sims.

The BMOA members have been organized in Atlanta for almost 40 years and currently own and operate more than 117 McDonald's restaurants. Their mission is to work together to deliver an excellent restaurant experience to their customers as well as serving their surrounding communities by promoting education and employment opportunities.

The BMOA is one of Atlanta's leading business and community organizations. The mission of the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Atlanta underserved urban communities. The Wheels of Dreams Bus program enhances understanding of entrepreneurship, computer skills; healthy eating/exercise lessons and provides awareness of how to find and keep a job and career opportunities. The BMOA is joined in this effort with funding from the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Operator Association, GAMOA. GAMOA is also one of the founding sponsors and continues their support with their major gift donations from their membership that includes owners and operators of more than 277 McDonald’s in Georgia.

The Coca-Cola Company is also a founding sponsor of the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation and continues its support for our programs with resources and major gift donations.

The BMOA members, community and business leaders who visit the Wheels of Dreams Bus also serve as student entrepreneurial mentors by delivering their personal stories of success and motivation. The Wheels of Dreams program utilizes the diverse talents of a number of businesses leaders, educational resources and community residents committed to a partnership to improve disadvantaged and at-risk inner cities areas. The Wheels of Dreams is an on-going program established to operate for many years.

© BMOA