Novato Community Improves the Lives of Vulnerable Youth

Spring is in the air and NovatoSpirit’s kids are blossoming, thanks to the generosity of Novato and beyond.  This year we’ve gratefully received gifts from Novato businesses and Bay Area foundations, as well as from individual donors.

We are especially thankful for the gifts from Novato’s Ghirardo CPA (pro-bono tax help worth thousands of dollars) and . ($350).  An official from Umpqua Bank recently told us that we were nominated for a grant. And earlier this year, the Marin Charitable foundation gave us $4,000, The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund gave us $1,000, and The John & Nancy Bates Foundation gave us $300. Thank you for helping our youth!

This funding has been channeled directly to NovatoSpirit’s athletic scholarship fund, which now serves 44 Novato youth with documented financial needs.  Without this funding, there is no way these kids could participate in longterm physical-fitness activities outside school.  Your help enables each of our youth to have athletic scholarships to karate, tae kwon do, dance and soccer for as long as 5 years.  This longterm fitness plan enables them to improve their health and lives through exercise and the mentorship of their athletic instructors.

Recently, these kids have showered us with expressions of their happiness. They have expressed, in writing, how their lives have been guided and changed through NovatoSpirit.

One high school girl, who has been with us for several years, wrote about her karate scholarship: “Karate has impacted my life in several ways and one of them is my health condition.  I used to be overweight and karate has helped me lose weight by keeping me moving.  I believe that if I had never tried karate for the first time I would not feel as motivated to be healthy as I do now.  It is not because I am a health freak that I say this, but because I know that there are a lot of kids out in the world who don't ever develop the love for movement, and it isn't only unhealthy for the body but for the soul, because they don't have an escape.  Karate had done wonders for my health, because I no longer feel depressed and I am much more healthy.”

Another girl wrote about her tae kwon do scholarship: “Life does get really really tough for me. When I go to Tae Kwon Do, I feel that all those feelings go away like I never ever had them. Tae Kwon Do is the one place that keeps me going strong.  When I do it I feel so energetic and proud that I just can’t stop doing it.  It helps me in a way with my flexibility and health.  I’m getting better in push-ups and sit-ups because it was really hard for me but now I am getting used to it. (My teacher) Master O is a great and excellent mentor.  I also like how he teaches us responsibility and respect to other people.  He teaches us to never give up.  I feel like I can always talk to him.  I would like to continue Tae Kwon Do because it helps me in a lot of ways.”

And one of our dance-scholarship girls wrote this: “I feel better than ever and do not plan on stopping dance, because it is so much fun and a great way to loose calories. My first recital was very nerve wrecking for me because it was the biggest stage I had been on and the biggest crowd.  I overcame my fears though, and when I got on the stage I felt amazing and every class I took was so worth it because you hear the crowd screaming your name and realizing that is you and it just makes you feel worth every penny.  I am very thankful for this opportunity I have been given due to the fact that I have had some lessons along the way. You only live once, and if you live it right, once should be enough.  I have learned to overcome all of my fears and to make the best out of every opportunity because in this life you do not know when your last day is.  And I feel like dance is my only way to express my feelings and let everything out on the dance floor.  It is a great way for me to cope with my emotions and forget about everything that is going on around me.  This whole experience has helped me make new friends and keep in touch with old ones. I am very greatful for this opportunity.”

Thank you for benefitting our NovatoSpirit kids!

Please visit us at Novatospirit.org