TUSTIN, Calif.—Arriving early for their 6 p.m. karate class, three elementary-aged boys wearing white martial arts uniforms removed their shoes before entering the instruction area and began stretching quietly of their own accord.
Just outside the doorway, other children of similar age dropped their metallic scooters to the concrete floor, laughing as they made a loud noise upon impact.
“Before participating in the class, it’s normal for the kids to have the ‘ants in the pants’ analogy of not being able to be still or listen very well,” volunteer Orange County Rescue Mission karate instructor Andre Escalante told The Epoch Times with a smile on his face.
“But after several classes of instruction, you really start seeing the children become more disciplined and start appreciating the ‘arts’ portion of martial arts.”
Operating throughout Orange County, Calif., the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) began its homeless care, outreach, and sustainable empowerment programs in 1963. Recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Christian ministry began its Tuesday night karate class for children and families enrolled in the mission’s various programs in 2021.
“What we teach you in this program extends beyond the classroom,” Mr. Escalante said.
“While also working here at the Mission, I have the benefit of getting to talk to parents whose children are in our karate program, and they report that the children have better focus in the home and at school, which is exciting for both my father and I.”
For Mr. Escalante, teaching the karate class is a family affair as he teaches the class with his father, George.
As both Escalantes have achieved black belts, the highest-ranking colored belt worn with martial arts uniforms, they also enforce a high amount discipline as they work with their young students.
“Push-ups for those of you that came in late, just now,” Mr. George Escalante told several students as they walked into the class. “Now everyone line up for stretches!”
In the March 12 class of 16 students, Mr. George Escalante asked young students with yellow and orange belts who have more experience to help him lead the class in several exercises.
“Because you are facing the class, you will work with your opposite arm and leg than that of your classmates,” Mr. Andre Escalante said as he patiently worked with an orange-belted student he selected to help him lead. “Great job.”
Many of the children enrolled in the OCRM karate program currently live in the “Village of Hope,” a transitional housing program on the Mission’s Tustin campus that currently houses close to 200 participants—the majority of whom are single mothers with children, according to OCRM officials.
“At the Village of Hope, [parents] are learning many skills to help them become more self-sufficient and to give them confidence as they take classes on personal finance and anger management,” OCRM President Bryan Crain told The Epoch Times.
“Similarly, we want their kids to enjoy experiences that help them grow in confidence and character, [and] karate is excellent for this. Many of the kids who are here with their parents haven’t had opportunities to play team sports, but they can plug in instantly here to learn karate.”
Later dividing the class in half, the Escalantes each gave students the opportunity to help lead other students in exercises.
Several parents sitting in on the class took pride in seeing the accomplishments of their children, noting that the program has helped improve their focus in school and at home.
For Jesus Bernal Jr., who came to support his young daughter who has been involved in the class for a year and a half, the karate program has been a great “family experience,” and it has increased his daughter’s confidence.
“She’s helping out at home. She’s participating more in school. This class has been really transformative in her life,” Mr. Bernal told The Epoch Times. “These classes bring the family together as well, as we watch and encourage them.”
For parent Caroline Saucedo, she has noticed better scholastic application in her 6-year-old son.
“He has better responsiveness and taking on responsibility at home,” Ms. Saucedo told The Epoch Times. “This program benefits both the kids and parents, here.”
For OCRM staffers, the Tuesday night karate program is a continuation of the nonprofit’s mission statement of fulling “the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last and the Lost of our community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care, and independent living communities,” according to the organization’s website.
“It has been so great to see these kids in our karate program build up the discipline and skills that will benefit their futures and live sustainable lives,” OCRM Senior Marketing Manager Kristi Nichols told The Epoch Times.
The ministry also sees the importance of combating homelessness in the state of California, which has been on the rise in recent years.
