SmartStop Self Storage has donated $17,000 to the Bahati Foundation's Adopt-a-School Program. The foundation is a community organization created to positively influence the lives of youth, and its school-adoption program is designed to create safe and healthy lifestyles for students in the Los Angeles Unified and Compton Unified School Districts through bike clinics, motivational speakers, and fitness and nutrition programs.

SmartStop's donation will help provide instruments for Crenshaw High School's band program as well as shoes and warm-up suits for the King R. Drew High School girls' basketball teams. Both schools are in Los Angeles County.

"We are honored to be able to support such an amazing school program for kids who just need some extra help," said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Strategic Storage Trust Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT) that operates the SmartStop brand name. "Thanks to the efforts of the Bahati Foundation, these kids now have the opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience in the world of music and sports."

The foundation was created by Rashaan Bahati, a world-class cyclist who grew up in Compton, Calif. The organization largely supports inner-city youth in underserved communities through inspirational speaking engagements and cycling-outreach programs designed to motivate and empower kids toward higher achievement in education, music and sports. The foundation's GiveBack programs work with corporate partners to supply inner-city youth with health and fitness gear, educational supplies, and musical instruments.

"Having SmartStop see value in the Bahati Foundation is an absolute honor and has been a humbling experience," Bahati said. "We are so grateful and excited to have SmartStop as a partner. I have had the privilege to give back over the last five years to my community after cycling changed my life, but I cannot do this alone. I've always encouraged everyone to help me give back, and SmartStop has stepped up to the plate. We're looking forward to continuing to make a positive impact on our community with SmartStop's generous donation."

The SmartStop Self Storage portfolio includes more than 120 properties across the United States and Canada. It includes approximately 77,000 self-storage units and 10.2 million square feet of rentable storage space.

Sources: