Abilene, TX – A scholarship program offered by Kicks for Kids is providing at-risk youth with the opportunity to learn self-discipline adn build life skills through martial arts training at Team Chip. The program, spearheaded by Chip Townsend and Carson Rynders, offers scholarships to students facing challenges at home and in school.
Townsend emphasized the structured habitat of martial arts, stating, “it’s just a really good opportunity to try to pour into them and help them to better their situation and help them to know that in the future they can get out of that.” He noted the positive impact on students who may lack structure in their lives.
Kicks for Kids president, Carson Rynders, highlighted the broader benefits, sharing, “My kids have grown up doing martial arts, and it’s been a huge benefit to them. Their grades show, their leadership skills show.”
Both Townsend and Rynders report significant growth in students currently receiving scholarships. Townsend explained that students frequently enough arrive “acting out…as their home life can be distressed,” but through martial arts training,they learn to “get control of those emotions.”
The program is funded through an annual February fundraiser featuring student demonstrations, a live auction, and food.
Applications for the Kicks for Kids scholarship are available on their website: https://www.teamchipkicksforkids.com/applynow and more information, including donation options, can be found at https://www.teamchipkicksforkids.com/donate and https://www.facebook.com/kicksforkidstexas/.
