SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

To be determined "at risk" and qualify for acceptance into Project Action's Scholarship Program, children (18 months to 18 years of age) must satisfy at least one of the following five categories of risk.

I. Individual characteristics

  A. Alienation
  B. Rebelliousness
  C. Lack of bonding to society

II. Family influences

  A. Parental conflict
  B. Child abuse
  C. Poor family management practices
  D. Family history of problem behavior
      1. substance abuse
      2. criminality
      3. teen pregnancy
      4. school dropouts

III. School experience
  A. Early academic failure
  B. Lack of commitment to school
  C. Dropping out of school

VI Peer group influences
  A. Friends who engage in problem behavior
     1. minor criminality
     2. alcohol
     3. drugs
     4. gangs
     5. violence

V Neighborhood and community factors
  A. Economic deprivation
  B. High rates of alcohol abuse
  C. High rates of substance abuse
  D. High rates of crime
  E. Proliferation of handguns among children
  F. Teenage pregnancy
  G. Neighborhood disorganization

It is requested that, on the scholarship application, you not only identify the risk factor(s) but also mention the protective factor(s) your school will provide as a counter measure. (Example: "Billy satisfies risk category IV.A.1. and 4. Friends who engage in problem behavior such as minor criminality and gangs. We will provide a positive peer group, encourage cooperation, respect and pro-social behavior and we eventually hope to inspire Billy to set and vigorously pursue positive goals in life").

PARENT TESTIMONIAL

I can't say enough about the Long Island Family Karate Center because of the impact it has had on my children, and myself, especially David, who will soon be fourteen. I am a mother of four with a degenerative muscle disease. I have been separated since 1996 and have recently lost most of my income. I have lost my home, gone through bankruptcy and was forced to move three times within three years. You can imagine what it did to my children. It greatly affected my son and he was devastated.

David is a very good young teen who excels at everything he does. When he found karate he was ecstatic. He is so dedicated and committed to karate that for months he would be at the dojo taking at times twenty classes a week. It was his second home. He is crazy about Kyoshi, admiring him for his accomplishments, conduct and for the "man" he sees in him that was absent in his dad.

David is a hard worker; sensitive and always willing to give of himself even if it is at his own expense. At eleven years old, he took a stand for an eleven-year-old girl who was being sexually harassed. David's actions caused that boy to be removed from the class, suspended from school and court ordered to receive counseling. Everyone was proud of him and the parents were very grateful.

It's a tough world out there, and even harder for a parent to keep their teenager on the right path. Because of karate, David's life has changed for the better. His grades and teacher's comments have improved tremendously and he is more disciplined and focused. He's learned more control and has become stronger and wiser.

 

Thank you very much.
Sincerely, Parent of Project Action Scholarship Child

E-Mail: paction@tampabay.rr.com