Bikers Against Child Abuse launch Calgary chapter

They're not a gang, but they do wear black leather jackets and ride motorcycles in large groups.

"When they look at us [and] see all these big burly guys, they know that we're there for them. That's a lot of empowerment to them," said William Hebert, whoseroad name is Wheels.

He is referring to the children that he and his biker friends watch over. Wheels isthe president of the Calgary chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA).

At a glance out of their eye they know that they've got all their friends standing, waiting for them, cheering them on.-Brian (Woody)Woodhouse, BACACalgary member

The not-for-profit organization is new to Calgary but has been around for more than 20 years in Canada and the U.S., as well aschapters acrossEurope and Australia.

Police, social services and therapists connect motorcycle enthusiasts with kids who have experienced abuse.

Tough-guy guardians

The tough-guy guardian angels provide friendship, moral and physical support for the children, whether that be parking their bikes outside their home or escorting them to and from the courthouse to testify.

"At a glance out of their eye they know that they've got all their friends standing, waiting for them, cheering them on," saidBACACalgary member Brian (Woody)Woodhouse.

"Just giving them the strength that they need within themselves to be able to carry on and work the steps through the justice system in order to begin the healing process," adds Woodhouse.

Woodhouse joined BACA after his six-year-old stepdaughter, Meika Jordan, was killed.

• Meika Jordan's family frustrated by 'inevitable delays' in trial

The girl's biological father Spencer Jordan and his girlfriend Marie Magoon have been charged with first-degree murder.

The trial for the couple starts March 23 in Calgary. That dayBACA members from across Alberta and Saskatchewan are planning a rally in the city.

BACA Calgary is still training and educating new members and doing criminal recordchecks. The chapter expects to be fully up and running by the fall of 2015.