Martial Arts Empowerment Program
Splitting boards with their feet was the culmination of the Martial Arts Empowerment Program for sixth grade middle school students who recently completed a leadership empowerment program.
For the second year the Wilmington Family Counseling Service, Inc. offered this program under the auspices of a United Way of Merrimack Valley grant. The group is a collaboration with the Wilmington Public Schools and Master James Kenney Silver Lake ATA Taekwondo.
The 22 students were energized by the martial arts experience for which they earned orange belts as well as the group discussions in which they learned leadership skills like respecting others and themselves, communicating in ways others will hear, and asserting themselves positively.
“My son thoroughly enjoyed this program. He was proud of himself and it added to his self esteem,” explained one parent on a program questionnaire. Another parent was enthusiastic about her daughter being more “positive and optimistic.”
“My greatest joy as a principal has been watching students blossom through the caring efforts of teachers, other staff, and programs like this one - I wish all of our students could have participated!” said Kate Conway, Wilmington Middle School principal.
“This program has been a great collaboration between the Wilmington Schools, Silver Lake Taekwondo, and ourselves much to the benefit of the students who grew in stature and friendship and self-regard,” said Carol Golub, WFCS executive director.
“It is well worth our efforts to secure United Way funding which hopefully we have for another year,” she said.
Additional funding is needed for this and other Wilmington Family Counseling Services, Inc. programs. Anyone wishing to contribute may send a tax-deductible donation to Wilmington Family Consulting Services, Inc.
