BLACK BELT EXCELLENCE MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY (BBX)

SUPPORTING YOUTH IN WESTERN OTTAWA

 

One of the key components to assist in the delivery of programs and services of the WOCRC is the development of partnerships within the community. Avenues of support have included initiatives such as raising money for the Centre, engagement in specific on-site tasks, and promotion of the WOCRC’s programs and services. The following success story incorporates all of these attributes, and is a good example of what it means to bring care and community together in Western Ottawa.

In September 2011, Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy (BBX) www.blackbeltexcellence.com celebrated its 25th Anniversary. As a way to thank the community for their support, BBX launched an initiative to raise funds to support organisations within Western Ottawa. BBX chose the WOCRC as one of its recipients based on a set of values shared by both organizations. As Phil Nguyen, head instructor of BBX stated, “The WOCRC staff members continually demonstrate dedication, professionalism and integrity in all their interactions, values that we as martial artists hold close to our hearts.” BBX students of all ages participated in a 250-person Taekwon-Do demonstration featuring 2,500 kicks and a fundraising Board Break-A-Thon for charity. It was a successful venture, and on September 25th Phil and his wife Amelia Nguyen presented a $5,000 cheque to the WOCRC. BBX also engaged its students in 250,000 hours of ‘Acts of Kindness’. In October, fifty Taekwon-Do students participated in a painting exercise at the Centre’s Chrysalis House, a shelter for women and their families who have experienced violence in the home. Ten rooms received a coat of paint, and as Phil pointed out, “It was such an exhilarating experience for us all to participate in this ‘extreme makeover’ as we fully dedicated ourselves in body, mind, and spirit to achieve this ambitious project, and this experience gave us a feeling of pride and fulfillment in supporting our community.” Students at BBX take an oath to build a more peaceful world and to be a champion for freedom and justice. “We believed that this volunteer initiative would hopefully provide the residents with a sense of dignity and a feeling that someone in the community does care about them and their families during difficult times. At the end of this cool and rainy fall day, a rainbow appeared in the sky, and this all put a warm smile on our faces and in our hearts,” said Phil. Throughout the years, BBX has also promoted the WOCRC within the community, and has also raised money to support the Centre’s Bully Prevention Program. Whether it is donating money, providing resources, or promoting the WOCRC, Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy is proud of its association with the Centre, and looks forward to the next twenty-five years of community partnership.