KAIZEN CENTER seeks to serve vulnerable children, particularly those in the foster care system, by providing a safe haven where they can experience stability, compassion, accountability, and hope while receiving the emotional, educational, therapeutic, and life skills support necessary to overcome trauma, build resilience, p and become productive members and future leaders of their communities.
Guided by the principle of continuous improvement—Kaizen—we strive to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through education, opportunity, faith-inspired leadership, and evidence-based care that promotes lifelong healing, personal responsibility, and lasting success.
KAIZEN CENTER, Inc. Purpose Clause
KAIZEN CENTER, Inc. is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Corporation's purpose is to improve the quality of life of children, youth, families, veterans, senior citizens, and underserved individuals by providing programs and services that promote mental, emotional, physical, educational, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being.
To accomplish these purposes, the Corporation may:
- Establish, own, operate, and manage licensed residential foster homes, therapeutic group homes, emergency shelters, transitional living programs, and other residential care programs for children and youth in need of protection, supervision, treatment, and support.
- Provide foster care, respite care, family preservation, family reunification, adoption support, independent living preparation, and aftercare services for children and families involved in the child welfare system.
- Provide or arrange professional mental health counseling, psychological services, psychiatric services, behavioral health treatment, trauma-informed care, substance abuse prevention and treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and therapeutic services through licensed professionals and qualified providers.
- Operate educational programs including tutoring, literacy programs, academic enrichment, scholarships, vocational training, career readiness, mentoring, leadership development, financial literacy, and life skills instruction.
- Operate recreational, cultural, athletic, martial arts, health, wellness, music, visual arts, and performing arts programs designed to build confidence, discipline, resilience, leadership, and positive character.
- Provide food, clothing, transportation, housing assistance, emergency assistance, and other charitable relief to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or crisis.
- Conduct community outreach, youth development, violence prevention, crime prevention, anti-bullying initiatives, family education, parenting education, and programs that strengthen families and communities.
- Develop partnerships with schools, government agencies, courts, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, faith-based organizations, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations to improve services available to children and families.
- Apply for, receive, administer, and distribute grants, contracts, donations, endowments, and other charitable contributions in furtherance of the Corporation's exempt purposes.
- Conduct any other lawful charitable and educational activities permitted under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that further the mission of KAIZEN CENTER, Inc.
The Corporation shall not be operated for the private benefit of any individual, and no part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or private person except as reasonable compensation for services actually rendered. Upon dissolution, all remaining assets shall be distributed exclusively for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service.
Here are some ways we plan to help young people get involved in our program:
(Embrace the three tenants of Karate by developing the members
Mentally, Physically and Spiritually)
1. Partner with Martial Arts groups to provide affordable
Martial Arts program to young adults and kids. Focusing on
the inner-city kids in poverty areas.
2. Offer after school program for scholastics. Providing
tutoring and homework assistance and development
of core scholastic competence.
3. Solicit College and High school graduates and seniors
to become peer role models to young students at risk:
These events could focus on the concept of creating a
mentoring buddy system. Within the structure of these events,
members could be paired up looking out for each other,
making sure school attendance is good, homework is turned
in, passing grades are maintained and help is sought early,
if needed. These events are important tools of the program.
4. Provide spiritual counseling to enhance
the member's
morality, ethics and faith.
5. Develop confidence, competitive characteristics by
promoting and participating in The Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU) and local Martial Arts and scholastic competitions.
6. Publicize student success stories in local papers,
newsletters or school papers. Invite professionals and
athletes to speak at meetings and in schools.
It is a fact that success in lowering the dropout rate,
use of drugs and alcohol is achieved by combining a variety
of tried-and-true methods. The Kaizen Center will encourage
peer culture and a pervasive, positive, structured atmosphere.
Martial Arts training and culture has been known to positively
influence the teen dropout rate and drug use. There is
generally a family atmosphere among students. Students
bond together, tend to work out problems together and are
supportive of each other.
Nobody can instantly turn around the lives
of hundreds of young people in a single effort. Kaizen's
dedication and care can help at-risk students begin to
turn themselves around and succeed. The name of the game
is setting incremental goals. We will be sure to refer
teens with serious problems to the appropriate agencies
for professional help.
Some ways to expand community involvement in helping teens
stay in school, stay off drugs and plan for the future
might include:
1. Raise student's expectations of
the myriad of opportunities available to them if they
stay in school, stay off drugs and plan for life.
2. Be sure that schools know what the Kaizen Center
expects of its members.
3. Show respect for teachers and community leaders. They
can make terrific partners for our crusade.
4. Be a role model and mentor.
