PRESS RELEASE: Youth Sponsored by City Youth Now Celebrates Martial Arts Accomplishments
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—December 21,2009—City Youth Now's Individual Request Program has been at the heart of the agency's mission for six decades. Over the years, City Youth Now has learned that it is critical to respond to each child on an individual basis, and the importance of the small things in the life of a child.
Since the age of six, foster youth Niko Spalling has been taking a serious of martial arts classes sponsored by City Youth Now. Niko entered the foster care system at the age of three when his mother was deemed unfit to care for the toddler because of substance abuse issues. Niko was placed in several placements, before being placed with Patty Picone where he has lived for three years. Niko struggled with anger issues and feelings of abandonment when he was placed with Mrs. Picone. After research and careful attention to her young foster child, Mrs. Picone thought martial arts classes would help the young boy develop self-discipline, confidence, and self-worth. Unable to afford the classes for young Niko, she turned to the boy's social worker who solicited funding assistance from City Youth Now.
This past Saturday, young Niko graduated from blue to green belt in Shaolin Kenpu skills. The event was festive, and featured black belt experts as well as a very impressive array of defensive, acrobatic skills demonstrated by over 30 classes to a rousing hip-hop soundtrack.
Niko's foster mom, Patty, a rising blue belt, has been taking classes with her son, and both mother and son expressed to us the bonding that the shared experience has given them.
City Youth Now is so deeply pleased to see how—as a result of our continued financial support for young Niko—these rigorous classes has helped him develop confidence, posture, esteem, and pride in who he is.
About City Youth Now:
City Youth Now supports youth in the San Francisco foster care and juvenile justice systems by providing funds for services and programs that promote stability and personal growth. www.cityyouthnow.org
###
Press Contact:
Elizabeth Fairbanks
Executive Director
City Youth Now
elizabeth@cityyouthnow.org
