An affordable, effective discipline that encourages students to resolve conflicts productively, combat peer pressure (drug use/gang activity) by offering instructional mentors and role models that give students the chance to succeed in reaching their physical, mental and social goals, and most importantly a feeling of belonging and hope for their futures, and an opportunity to believe in themselves.

The playground, the hallway, and the locker room can be scary places for kids to hangout. We realize these days, that children carry adult responsibilities and worries on their shoulders. Many come from broken homes, low incomes, drug infested violent neighborhoods.

The goal of the Sidekicks program is to help solve these problems by providing our students with an Instructor/Role Model/Mentor that the student can connect with.

Without programs like Sidekicks, many of these children could potentially end up on the wrong side of the law, or in a Juvenile Detention Facility. It costs the state an estimated $60,000 per child, per year, in a detention center compared to just $600.00 per child, per year to be in the Sidekicks program.

What is Sidekicks Taekwondo?

Sidekick ("yup chagi" in Korean) is a type of kick, but Sidekick is also a stock character, a close companion who assists a partner in a superior position. In a day and age where "loyalty" seems a thing of the past, we teach our student to respect each other, respect authority, respect your elders, and respect yourself.

The name Taekwondo is derived from the Korean word "Tae" meaning foot, "Kwon" meaning fist and "Do" meaning way of. So, literally Taekwondo means "the way of the foot and fist", but more importantly Taekwondo has been a "way of life" for the McKeown family.

Sidekicks is just as much about the condition of the heart, as it is conditioning of the body. Through good role modeling and mentoring, students will feel "connected", having a sense of "belonging" to something important, or something bigger than their daily issues. We practice these 3 simple principles..."be Respectful, be Willing to Learn, and be Willing to Share", with this in mind each student realizes that they become a role model to someone the moment they join the Sidekicks program.

If you've always wanted to learn some kind of martial art or self defense then Sidekicks is the place for you!

Sidekicks is about Saving Lives, Changing Lives, and Respecting Lives.
Quality of Life is enhanced through the principles of Taekwondo.