Attention Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy owners,
Do you believe that if more people trained jiu-jitsu, the world would be a better place? Most likely, your answer is yes; however, millions of people don't have access to it because they are unaware of jiu-jitsu's existence, and many others can't afford it, especially in impoverished communities worldwide.
To spread the message that the World could be a better place if more people trained in jiu-jitsu, we need your help supporting the cause, and there is an excellent opportunity to do so.
The Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu League is a proud supporter of the 501 C3 Nonprofit organization Jiu-Jitsu Tribe (JJT). JJT's Mission is to inspire, impact, and improve the lives of at-risk children and young adults in impoverished communities worldwide, including Arizona.
Founded in 2010, JJT introduces jiu-jitsu as a personal development tool for kids & young adults in partnership with mental health-related organizations and local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies. JJT also supports social projects that offer free jiu-jitsu classes to their communities, like Higher Ground in Tucson, Arizona.
We are excited to announce our newest partnership; Graduation Solutions is a no-cost dropout recovery program that helps underprivileged, homeless, and otherwise challenged students get back on track in school and towards graduation.
On February 13th, Graduation Solutions is promoting a health and wellness fair that exposes these students and their families to services they may not encounter. In addition, it's an excellent opportunity to introduce them to jiu-jitsu, and JJT will have a booth at the event, taking applications for those interested in trying jiu-jitsu.
This event will be held in Mesa at 2055 S Power Rd, Mesa.
How does the program work?
The academy can choose one student (or multiple if you choose to do so) to sponsor for six months. It includes monthly dues, one kimono, and a belt.
There will be a three-month checkpoint (midway through the program) to evaluate interest, commitment, and continued participation. After that, those taking advantage of the program will continue, while those who are not will be dropped to ensure spots are available to those who will truly maximize the opportunity.
Upon completing the six-month program, the academy can decide if the sponsorship will continue. There is a possibility of receiving funds to pay for the monthly fees of the sponsored students with some organizations. The scenario mentioned has happened before. After a six-month program, a behavioral center paid for the next group of students supported by an academy in Arizona.
How will participants be targeted?
Jiu Jitsu Tribe will have a booth and put on a demo. The potential sponsored students to fill out the form will be matched with the best/nearest participating academy to launch their sponsorship program.
As Robert Baden-Powell said: "Try to leave this World a little better than you found it. "Supporting Jiu-Jitsu Tribe, you are helping to spread the message of Jiu-Jitsu as a personal development tool and, as a result, leaving this World a little better than you found it while also potentially adding new long-term students. It's a win for everyone.
To add your academy to the list of participating academies please fill out THIS FORM
For questions on the program please contact Heath Flicker at heath@jiujitsutribe.org
As an example of the type of change that the intro to Jiu Jitsu program can have please read this letter that we received from the parent of a child participating in our inaugural edition:
(child's name changed)
"Hi Lori,
I wanted to say a Huge Thank You to you & the team there at Resilient Health for this great opportunity Sophia has with GD Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We are so happy with this transformation Sophia has flourished into.
She has been so opened about many things she secretly struggled with that I wish I had known beforehand. Her perspective with school and life has done a 180, she’s such a happy gal once again 
She looks forward to her Zoom meetings with you and the children every Monday.
She absolutely loves talking to you and the other children and is not feeling so insecure about her thought process and body image. She feels so confident in herself and has even changed a bit in her posture.
Her health has become much better I see a little weight loss action there and the healthy eating habits are taken much more serious. Gustavo, Heath and everyone at the Gym has encouraged her to be mentally, physically and even emotionally strong. She tells me how much she cares for everyone of her instructors and team mates. She wants to be just like them in helping others with encouraging peoples lives and helping them see outside the box.
As you know Sophia suffered many losses in her life, she seen me live in a hospital for many months fighting for my life. We lost our home and animals, my little sister from pneumonia which was her favorite Aunty, my father from cancer, my mother to Covid19 last year. So all of the death and loss of material things within the 2year span played a huge toll on her little heart and mental state.
So, this whole program is such a breath of fresh air to actually see her so happy and excited once again. My heart is sooooo happy and relieved, I can’t imagine how amazing she feeling inside. She sleeps throughout the nights now. Before she struggled with sleep and would cry herself to sleep. She was becoming a dark person and wanted to wear nothing but black clothing, goth look with her hair in her face. At 9years old she just thought of dark thoughts and nothing was exciting anymore. She took a liking into video games and wanted to become a gamer for Fortnite. She didn’t want any physical activity in her life, nor to even go outside.
The GD Jiu-Jitsu program has changed her in ways I never thought I’d see again. I have my daughter back! I missed her glowing smile and her loving heart tremendously and now she’s back. Yes, I’m crying as I type this but it’s the BEST FEELING Lori, SHE’S BACK!
Sophia would love to continue this class, the instructors are absolutely amazing and so kind and understanding of the children. I see all different levels from all different back grounds and they all cooperating and do their best. Sophia feels safe and gets along with the owners very well. They offered her to come and do a woman’s class and it’s helping her socialize with grownups and learn from their points of view on the Martial Arts background and just keeping her encouraged with young woman’s daily lives.
I encourage Resilient Health to continue helping children with programs like this. They are so beneficial for our children’s mental & physical health. Thank You soo soo much once again…
Truly,
Mom "