THE PROGRAM

Our core mission expansion for K.I.C.K. is to take our proven program of providing after-school karate instruction and its valuable teachings and expand it into our surrounding communities as well as others across the globe. Our expansion is only limited by the ability to fund our operations and employ volunteers willing to help us grow our program offerings and availability.

From the beginning, K.I.C.K. has provided karate training to youngsters in the Santa Monica studio, operated by Vassie Naidoo. Furthermore, a large portion of our continued funding for the in-house and outreach programs comes from parents and caretakers of children participating in the Santa Monica in-house program. We hope to expand our donor lists to include others willing to assist us in growing exponentially in all of our programs over the next few years.

For the karate outreach program, after-school organizations, such as CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning) and community centers provide facilities and assist with desperately needed resources to make the K.I.C.K. program available. All children enrolled in the after-school program/community center are allowed to participate. Parents and guardians are not solicited for funds, however they are encouraged to volunteer their time. Unlike many other charitable organizations, over 98% of our funding goes to the programs that we offer.

Black-belt instructors teach all K.I.C.K. classes. Chief Instructor, Vassie Naidoo (6th Degree) teaches many of the classes personally with the help of several of his top black-belt students.

In past years, K.I.C.K. has provided karate instruction at the Goju-Kai karate studio in Santa Monica as well as outreach instruction at various schools and community centers. While most martial arts organizations provide after-school instruction in their studios, the K.I.C.K. Outreach Program comes to the student schools and community centers.

K.I.C.K. has proven success in providing outreach karate instruction as follows:

Los Angeles Downtown Community Center (1995 to 1997): Chief Instructor, Vassie Naidoo, provided twice weekly training to 30+ students, a majority of whom are African American and Hispanic.
“I’m amazed at the change in Colin. He used to hang around the house bored to tears. Now, he can’t wait for his K.I.C.K. karate class. I’ve never seen him this excited about anything.” -- Linda West, parent

Boys and Girls Club of Venice (1999 to 2000): Black belt instructor Melinda Gee provided once a week training to 30+ students, primarily of African American descent. Several of the children have chosen to continue training at the Santa Monica karate studio.

“Renee has been a tough student to handle. She was easily distracted and very disruptive. Since joining the program, she’s more focused and can actually sit still.” -- Irma Constantine, Counselor

City of Angels Church of Religious Science (2000 to 2002): Black belt instructor Robert DeAvila provided once a week training to 20+ students. Many of the students are brought to the program by their grandparents or guardians. Ninety percent of the students are African American. Several of the children have chosen to continue training at the Santa Monica karate studio.

“I used to worry about what everyone else thought about me or what they were saying about me. Now, I know that I don’t have to let that bother me. I feel better about myself. I know I’m strong.” -- Joshua, student

Patrick Henry Elementary School, Long Beach (2002 to 2004): Vassie Naidoo and Andrea Daly provide once weekly training to sixty-eight fourth and fifth grade students at the school, in partnership with YMCA. A majority of the students are Hispanic, African American and Asian.

2004-2005 growth of program to include many more locations as expanded resources continue to permit.

Throughout the past year, K.I.C.K. has continued to expand operations, adding a daily after-school class to the Santa Monica studio schedule as well as expansion of affiliated programs affecting thousands of lives across the Nation