Rehabilitative Mixed Martial Arts Foster Youth Program

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Our focus is on youth exposed to foster care, gangs, and addiction, facing severe impacts on physical, emotional, and behavioral health due to poverty. Each day, almost a hundred children enter foster care amid insufficient protection, with half enduring multiple adverse childhood events. At A Fighting Chance, we're committed to providing every child with opportunities for success. By harnessing the power of sports and play, we aim to mitigate poverty's detrimental effects on health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Children in poverty often confront violence, drugs, and crime, increasing risks of academic failure, gang involvement, teen parenthood, and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. Our gym offers a supportive environment that goes beyond just physical training. We also recognize the importance of addressing mental health by reducing stress levels and improving mood, cognitive function, and sleep quality.

Our grant proposal supports AFC's comprehensive MMA program for foster and at-risk youth in Los Angeles County. Our initiatives include:
1. Community Classes provide foundational MMA training to promote physical fitness for foster and at-risk youth and local community members facing financial challenges and addiction.
2. Round 2 integrates MMA training with mental well-being activities to enhance overall health and resilience.
3. Just Flow combines bag work classes with mentoring, supporting students aspiring to advance in MMA or pursue careers in combat sports.
The total project cost is about $221,640, with a grant request of $75,000 to cover core expenses such as coach stipends, educational tutors, instructional materials, transportation for field trips and competitions, boxing/training gear, fitness and mental wellness supplies, and facility equipment.
Our goals include expanding operational hours to accommodate 300 existing participants and attract an additional 350 in the first year. The facility expansion will convert our space into a drop-in gym outside program hours, increasing membership by 50% and diversifying engagement opportunities.
We aim to expand culturally sensitive martial arts programs to include Indigenous, Transgender, and LGBTQ communities. Hiring 2-4 multilingual staff will enhance inclusivity.
A Fighting Chance seeks to create an inclusive, supportive environment where all youth can thrive, irrespective of background or challenges they face.

By June 2025, the success of our program at A Fighting Chance will transform Los Angeles County by achieving several impactful outcomes. We aim to increase the number of participants improving their grades by 5%, empower 80% of participants to effectively chart and achieve life goals, and guide 100 youth towards careers in MMA, physical fitness, or yoga. Our program has already prevented two youths from considering suicide and garnered a 95% positive life-changing impact among participants. With a robust attendance rate exceeding 75%, we foster a committed community through structured sessions and social outings. Continuous outcome tracking will guide our efforts, ensuring sustained and significant positive influence on participants' lives. These outcomes collectively underscore the transformative influence and positive atmosphere the program has instilled in the lives of its participants.

For our existing program at AFC, we will employ a robust evaluation methodology to measure impact effectively:
1. Formative Assessments: Conducted periodically, focusing on curriculum completion, MMA progress, participant engagement, and knowledge retention through quizzes and tests. These insights drive real-time adjustments for better outcomes.
2. Summative Evaluation: Post-program, a comprehensive assessment gauges behavioral changes via self-administered questionnaires and personal projects, offering a holistic view of long-term impact.
With a proven track record supporting foster and at-risk youth through successful partnerships and initiatives targeting ethnic minorities, AFC addresses significant educational and mental wellness challenges among youth. By enhancing educational and fitness support, AFC aims to cultivate sustainable life skills and positive lifestyle changes. Ongoing evaluations ensure continual program improvement, fostering participant success and well-being.