Scholarships enable at-risk youth to benefit from our programs

Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy frequently receives calls from concerned parents who would like an at-risk child to participate in martial arts programming. At times, we also receive calls from elderly individuals with limited financial resources who are interested in Tai Chi for health. While we endeavor to work with everyone, the fact is that funds are required to maintain training equipment and facilities.
In order to help accomodate more at-risk youth, as well as older individuals interested in Tai Chi for health, we have partnered with the SideKick Foundation, a 501(c) charitable organization, to help raise funds. Despite our good intentions, we simply can not raise all the funds on our own.
There are two main ways students as well as interested third-parties could assist.
First, we would love for someone to donate time and effort in applying for grants from corporations and other charitable institutions on behalf of the SideKick Foundation. Secondly, we ask that students who are able to provide financial assistance - no matter how small - consider the efforts of Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy in helping to bring the benefits of martial arts to our community, by making donations to the SideKick Foundation. If you itemize on your federal tax returns, your donations are tax-deductible. Please note that you can make a donation to support a particular child at Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy (be sure to send both the SideKick Foundation as well as the Academy all the pertinent details)
There are several ways you can choose to donate.
1. Checks for donations should always be made out to The SideKick Foundation, with a notation in the memo line that it is to add to the scholarship fund of Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy. Checks can be mailed directly to the SideKick Foundation OR given to either Instructor Will Laurin or Instructor Harriet Laurin to be sent on to the SideKick Foundation. The address for the SideKick foundation is as follows: Sidekick Foundation, Inc.4630 N. University Dr. #322Coral Springs, FL 33067 Make checks payable to: Sidekick Foundation, Inc.
2. Large companies typically work with the United Way to collect charitable donations. The SideKick Foundation has registered with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania (as well as with the state of Pennsylvania). Please consider donating through the United Way during their next pledge drive.
3. The SideKick Foundation is also able to accept credit cards. Please contact them, or ask Instructor Harriet to facilitate any credit card donations.

Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy can use the funds on behalf of at-risk students in a number of ways. If sufficient funding is available, we can offer temporary or long-term tuition reductions to those in financial need. Training in the martial arts also requires students to obtain personal items, such as sparring gear, uniforms, and weapons. We can use funds to help reduce or eliminate the cost if necessary. In addition, at-risk students who are in financial need sometimes may have just enough resources to attend the school, but not enough to participate in competitive events, annual banquets, or other school outings. The SideKick Foundation program provides enough flexibility to allow us to assist students for these types of expenditures when necessary.

How do we select scholarship recipients?
Regardless of whether the scholarship applicant is an adult or a child, we ask that only those who are in financial need ask for scholarship funding, as the scholarship resources are very limited.
When considering a child for the scholarship program, there are a variety of factors we look at including declining grades, parental status, mild to severe physical or mental disorders, or a child who is not yet in trouble but is "at-risk" of going down the wrong road. There are many factors that put children "at-risk". If you think you may qualify, please contact us to see if a partial scholarship may be possible.