MiamiHerald.com recently ran an article about a martial arts teacher helping at-risk children turn their lives around through martial arts training. The teacher Newton James, apparently escaped involvement in gangs himself the same way.
Newton James faced desperate times after his parents abandoned him, leaving him to care for three sisters and a brother in Kingston, Jamaica. To escape, he considered joining a gang.
James’ somehow managed to make different choices.
“Instead, he began working at a neighboring Indian family’s store to support his family and reading his siblings’ text books at night to educate himself.”
“Despite his overwhelming struggles, he began squeezing in a [martial arts] class at the YMCA.”
“It became his passion.”
Now, decades later with his own martial arts studio, James uses martial arts to help kids turn their lives around like he did.
“‘It gave me strength to carry on,’ recalled the Palmetto Bay resident, now 57.”
James has been using his martial skills and the values they impart, such as perseverance and courage, to work with at-risk youth for years now. He also makes public appearances at schools and conferences, supporting the cause to preventing an reducing crime.
“[It] gives you discipline and obedience. It gives you that sense of compassion. In everyday living, it takes you through the struggles. It takes you through the ups and downs. You put your head into that frame of mind and carry on.”
“My mission is to help all kids and adults who happen to come through my door,” he added, “and help them to be better role models and to have respect for parents and to respect everybody around them.”
Many of his students have gone on to such professions as education, law and medicine.
“Among the sweating — and focused — students was fifth-degree black belt Frank Cipriani, 40, of Kendall who began taking his classes at age 18 as he struggled with drug issues.”
“It was the right move, he said: It helped him to discipline himself and focus in college through the rigorous training.”
“‘I beat those demons and haven’t taken drugs since I started taking class,’ Cipriani said.”
The article ends with James’ simple self-observation…
“God gave me the ability and strength to carry on and teach.”
Technorati Tags: at-risk youth, aikido, martial arts
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