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LIONMAN Foundation, Inc. Blue Lion Karate Club Proposal to: V.O.A.G.N.O.

Background Both nationally and locally, violence and drug use (including the use of tobacco and alcohol) are a continuing problem in elementary, middle, and high schools. Several highly publicized violent incidents and deadly shootings in New Orleans over the past few years provide heightened awareness in the minds of the public but for a short time before fading into memory. However, there are countless unpublicized incidents and ongoing tensions in the schools that school faculty, staff and security personnel must handle on a daily basis.

Often students do not know how to respond to intimidation, threats or incidents of violence. Peer pressure and an environment of fear and worry make it difficult for students to learn. When coupled with violence in their neighborhoods, and a shortage of supervised, positive in school, after school and weekend activities, youth can become unmotivated, thereby, reducing their expectations of their ability and performance. Threats, intimidation and blatant disrespect of authority figures create unhealthy school environments, which can lead to teacher and administrator burnout. Because of this burnout, the New Orleans Public School system has lost countless numbers of good teachers.

The use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol decreases a student’s ability to learn. Such drug usage is often a magnet for violence in schools. It brings students into contact with negative elements and frequently leads to other negative and risky behaviors, such as crime, domestic violence and poor educational performance. All of these factors will contribute to a lowered lifetime earning potential for most students exposed to them. Research shows that parental involvement in their children’s education and schools tend to lead to better academic performance. Additionally, access to positive role models and mentors on a regular, on-going basis has been shown to increase a student’s commitment to academic achievement and lifetime goals.

These benefits occur most often if mentoring and parental involvement are begun at an early age and continued over a long period of time.

© ACE Media, LLC 2007

Blue Lion Karate Club The LIONMAN Foundation was established in 2000 to serve the youth of New Orleans and their families with programs and activities designed to teach and encourage self-esteem and self-discipline. In addition, we also provide positive role models, mentors, and experiences to the young participants in our programs.

The LIONMAN Foundation works towards a future where our children stand up with pride and self-respect, value diversity, appreciate constructive communication, and understand the importance of education. The LIONMAN Foundation partners with existing organizations that share our commitment to making a difference in the future of our children, and develops its own programs in support of children.

The principles that guide The LIONMAN Foundation in the development and implementation of all its activities are: All persons are treated with respect at all times Our success is measured by the success of our youth All programs are operated in a manner to protect the health and safety of the participants and staff The Foundation and all partner programs operate at the highest level of ethical standards We are constantly seeking new programs and new approaches to improve the future of our youth.

The LIONMAN Foundation is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization that has been providing programs and services to youth in the N.O. community for twenty-five years.

Blue Lion Karate Club Research shows that martial arts and structured, organized activities such as drill team participation are an effective way for children and adolescents to gain focus, enhance concentration, develop strategic skills and promote self-esteem that will benefit them in their academic pursuits. Once acquired, these skills will continue to benefit them through their lifetime.

Grand Master O’Neal and his staff will collaborate with V.O.A.G.N.O., Principals and Coordinators to develop and utilize a common language and response pattern to violence, aggression, intimidation and drug usage. Teachers, administration, security personnel and parents will be encouraged to be consistent in their language when addressing these issues with students.

TLC Karate program will use materials prepared by The LIONMAN Foundation that specifically promote diversity, enhance self-esteem and stress the importance of education from a youthfriendly focus.

TLC Karate program involves students, teachers, administrators, parents, community volunteers, business owners, law enforcement, and governmental agencies all working together to create safe and drug free schools so that our children can learn in a healthy environment and build towards a strong future.

For the 2011-2012 school years, TLC hopes to grow and become a vital part of the V.O.A.G.N.O. system family adding additional schools as the network expands.

Goals TLC is an evidenced-based school enrichment program that uses martial arts and drill team training as the conduit to give students the power they need to overcome life’s obstacles.

The program goals are to develop after school tutoring and training programs worldwide: Our students’ spirit Reinforce discipline Encourage health and physical conditioning Empower students with self-defense techniques Promote the propagation of each student’s culture and heritage

Blue Lion Karate Club Staffing TLC Team Joined together by a commitment to the future of our youth, synchronized to maximize results and participant satisfaction, and trained in mentoring youngsters and providing positive reinforcement.

Oversight Grand Master O’Neal, of the LIONMAN Foundation and V.O.A.G.N.O., will closely monitor all program activities.

Program Administrator Grand Master Eric O’Neal is the program administrator, directing the implementation of the program in the school and providing the supervision of staff.

College Students as Trainers & Mentors TLC hires selected college students from Xavier University, Dillard University and Southern University of New Orleans to provide participants in the program proper training and guidance in martial arts and drill team instruction, as well as, to encourage these students to pursue their college aspirations.

Graphic Design Facilitator - Matt King TLC has an “in-house Graphic Artist who will serve as facilitator for students who express interest in this field as it relates to contributing to the development of LIONMAN materials. This program aspect will serve as a career exploration and skills building strategy.

Program Evaluator - Charlesetta O’Neal TLC Karate program Evaluator will conduct an outcome evaluation to look at the impact, benefits and changes in the students- collecting baseline data at beginning of program and evaluating changes at the end of the program focusing on student academic performance, attitude, behavior and student view of the future and interest.

Blue Lion Karate Club Program Design

Program Components During each 60 min session with the students one of the following methods will be used to achieve the Martial Arts goals stated above:

LIONMAN A-1 Drill Team The club will be trained to perform in many venues.

Prior clubs have performed on ESPN, Essence Festival and children hospitals as well as many schools throughout New Orleans

Creative Arts - Vision Community Performances Promote student volunteerism – TLC students will also develop have the option of contributing to the community by participating in the many performance demonstrations that will take place throughout the year. By performing at various locations throughout the city, such as Children’s Hospital, community centers, etc., participants will experience the joy of uplifting and delighting others.

Volunteer credit will be awarded to students who participate in these performances.

Leadership Development through creatively addressing needs within schools.

TLC participants must commit to at least four hours per month community service. Students will be led through a process of identification of schools needs and design of community service projects that will contribute to addressing the need (i.e. school beautification and environment). By making a personal investment of their time, students develop a sense of pride for their school and for themselves, knowing that they have made a positive contribution.

Speakers Bureau TLC, in partnership with 100 Black Men and the College Student Trainers/Mentors from Dillard, Xavier and SUNO, will give motivational and inspirational presentations about college life, career development and leadership training to student participants.

Blue Lion Karate Club Program Design TLC Karate program is designed to foster the future success of young people by helping them to acquire the self-discipline and proper attitudes that support achievement in school and in life.

TLC Karate program reinforces education as a critical foundation for future success; self-discipline, self-esteem, and respect for others as the keys to success in education.

Initial Assessment & Data Collection Students referred to TLC will have an initial assessment done by Program Evaluator to determine current academic, attitudinal and behavior status, successes, strengths, challenges, perceived failures, interests, desires and needs.

This assessment will involve face to face meetings individually and/or in groups with students, collection of copies of pertinent data (report cards, etc.) from students, parents, teachers and any other appropriate school personnel.

This will form baseline data for comparative analysis at the end of the program. Results of student interests will provide basis for determining the area of focus student will be guided to within Blue Lion Karate Club. TLC staff will collect ongoing progress reports from students, parents and school personnel as a part of program evaluation and program monitoring. A final program evaluation report will be compiled and shared with V.O.A.G.N.O., students and parents.

Schedule Blue Lion Karate Club will meet: 60 minutes/ for 4 days – 1 day at each school every week, the club will serve 50 kids per class, for a total of 200 kids.

(200) Students at V.O.A.G.N.O. The program will begin immediately upon execution of the agreement between V.O.A.G.N.O. and the LIONMAN Foundation, commencing on the weekday and time selected by the school Principal. The program will run until the end of this year (Aug 2011-Dec 2012). A fall program can be developed if the Network so desires.

Blue Lion Karate Club

Parental Involvement

Parental involvement in their children’s schools is crucial to the success of the student, as well as, of the school. Therefore, parents will be encouraged to participate in TLC Karate program by volunteering at activities and performances or providing other services.

All members of the TLC Karate program will be given promotional items such as trading cards, posters and comic books as a way to encourage consistent participation. In addition, members will be rewarded with special discounts at various school student-friendly local businesses for participating in the program. This reward system will provide the participants with a motivation to remain committed to the program.

Expected Outcomes Significant decrease in the incidents of violence and related disciplinary problems.

The measurement will be logs of the number of violent and related discipline events in the 2011-2012 school year prior to enrollment in Blue Lion Karate Club as compared to after enrollment in LIONMAN Karate Club, as reported by administration and teachers, Improved classroom behavior as reported by teachers, Increased academic achievement, as reported by teachers, administration and students, Increased parental involvement, Increased self-esteem and self-confidence Increase planning for future academic and professional goals.

Budget Blue Lion Karate Club is offering a fall program to the V.O.A.G.N.O. students at a reduced cost. *Regular Karate classes: Cost from $99mo. to $125mo. $30 Reg. fee and Karate Uniform $75-100. *Satellite Karate classes: Cost from $60mo. to $90mo. $20 Reg. fee and Karate uniform $50-75.

Our BLKC satellite program will cover operational cost of staffing pattern listed above, program supplies and materials Cost $50mo. per std, reg. fee $10 and karate uniform $40 = Total $250.

Fee structure formula 50 students @ $250 a Total for this year @ $12,500.00 Fee structure formula 100 students @ $250 a Total for this year @ $25,000.00 Fee structure formula 200 students @ $250 a Total for this year @ $50,000.00 *** New Fee structure formula 200 students @ $160 a Total for this year @ $32,000.00***

This excludes the school closures based on (1) week for Thanksgiving and (2) weeks for Christmas. Blue Lion Karate Club will serve a total of (200) Students at V.O.A.G.N.O.