Karate Inspires City Kids

CONTACT:

51 North Margin Street
Boston, MA 02113
617-557-5425
www.kidskarate.org

Sioux Gerow, program director

DESCRIPTION:

Before he co-founded KICK in 1999, Shihan Jeff Burger paid some of his karate students’ competition fees out of his own pocket. He saw how learning martial arts was boosting their self-confidence and attitudes. With Sioux Gerow, he launched KICK as an after-school program in Charlestown and Boston’s North End, attracting students through neighborhood resources, health care centers, social workers and the Boys and Girls Club. Students learn how their actions affect their success, and how developing skills produces a work ethic. Nearly 70% of them live in public housing, so KICK provides sliding-scale tuition and scholarships, in exchange for community service, fundraising and performing in team activities. Team eligibility requires good conduct at home and in school, including good grades. When funding is available, KICK instructors give karate lessons to elementary schools. For the past three years, KICK’s kids have won over 90% of their local competitions, but while some of them could compete nationally and internationally, KICK cannot afford it. This is a small group making big differences in kids’ lives. Big needs at the moment are: structural improvements at their “new” full-time location space; volunteer help with administration and computers; and sponsors for competitions (many events cost under $500). You can help them do more good.

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: Sports and Summer)