EVO Community, We Would Like Your Help for a Family in Need.

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Our friend Jennifer Levinson of “Jen’s List” has met a family that is need of help.  Below is their story and if anyone of you can offer some help that would be fantastic.  Below are some details from Jennifer 

I write this because I have been made aware of a situation at a local high school, about a 17 year old, that breaks my heart and I am reaching out to see if anyone has the resources to help.
I have been in contact with school administers and recieved this info this morning. Please take a minute to read it, count your blessings and if you know someone that can assist, email me at jen@jenslist.com.
He and his mother are living in a car and have been doing so for ten months.
He sleeps about 5-6 hours per night at most. He and his mother generally have been getting by with cold meals that they have purchased with food stamps. He has pericarditis, which he says is an inflammation of the sack around his heart. The condition causes chest pains and limits his ability to participate in any kind of physical activity. We believe this condition also accounts for times when he seems slow to respond or seems without the energy to complete his work or participate in class. He says that there is medication for it, but he is not on it right now. However he has not been to the doctor in quite some time and it is reasonable to assume that he may not be able to afford treatment. Furthermore, it”s also safe to assume that his options are fairly limited when it comes to a healthy diet, given his current situation.

It should be noted that he appears at school each day in the same clothes. He does not seem to have any real winter clothing for the nights. He tells us his day consists of going to school, then going to the library to do some work and get on the computer. He then goes to sleep and starts the day over again.
He and his mother would accept help. His words were “I”ve been living like this for ten months.”
After the meeting, the boy immediately asked, “Is there a way to get into a bed or a place by Christmas?”. The boy is doing well in school, great behavior, hard working and never asks for a thing.
At this point, connections with shelters and/or a place to stay, and perhaps a cardiologist pediatric or otherwise who would be willing to perform some pro bono work would be wonderful.
UPDATE

1st, I have to tell you that when I first posted about the mom and son that were living in their car, I NEVER in my wildest dreams imagined the outpour of support that has been rec’d.
As of now, I have rec’d hundreds of responses and still trying to get back to everyone.
I had the opportunity today to meet the mom. She is an educated 56 year old, with a bachelors degree and retired from law enforcement in Hawaii.  She and her son moved here for a job that unfortunately, did not pan out. She has been working part time, thru a temp. agency, but would love to get something stable.
Both mom and son are clean, NO drugs or alcohol. He is a straight A student that goes directly to the library after school and stays there until closing before going to the car they sleep in.
A Pediatric Cardiologist in Encino has offered to take care of the boy and his medical needs surrounding his Pericarditis.
The high school got the boy a prepaid cell phone, so that he can reach his mom, if needed.
At this time, they could really use gift cards to get themselves some warm clothing and hot meals.
Some suggestions were Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Ralphs or Vons. Someone has offered to help mom with her resume and I will gladly post it once completed to see if anyone can help her with a permanent job.
Mom was very gracious and appreciated the community support.
If you are interested in helping, gift cards can be mailed to(and remember, NO amount is too little):
Calabasas High School
Attn: Ryan Emery 
22855 West Mulholland Hwy.
Calabasas, CA 91302
His email is remery@lvusd.org
Ryan will make sure that all donations reach the family.
Lastly, we are working with the Anza hotel, in hopes that they will deeply discount their nightly rate, to at least give them a place to stay over winter break and have a warm bed to sleep in for the holidays. Details are in the works now to make this happen. If you would like to assist with housing, a visa/mc gift card can be sent. Please include a note to Ryan that the funds are specially to be used for housing and he will make sure that they are.
The past 2 days have been extraordinarily humbling to me and just another learning lesson for my children. While most of us think something like this will never happen to them, trust me when I tell you that this mom and son never thought it would.
Thank you for your generosity and willingness to help others in need.
Love,
Jen
If you can help donate anything please mail to the address above or drop off at EVO and we will take care of it.  Lets try to help by this weekend before Christmas!  Thank you everyone. 

2nd Annual Holiday Pot Luck Dec-22 12-2pm

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We would love for you to join us for our 2nd Annual Holiday Pot Luck (who could forget last years chocolate covered bacon).  The pot luck will be at Evolution Martial Arts Academy on Sunday December 22nd from 12pm to 2pm.  This is always a fun way to talk and hang out with the coaches and other students and members off the mat and away from the weights.

If you would like to participate please bring enough food to serve 3-4 people.  There is a sign up sheet on the front counter.  As a reminder please bring serving utensils if your dish or food item needs it.

Lets have some fun as we close out the year.  We hope to see some of you there.

Mini Cubs is a New Mommy/Daddy and Me Program We Are Trying in the Month of December.

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We received a phone call last week from a mom asking us if there are classes for her 2 1/2 year old daughter.  We told her unfortunately that is a bit too young for our current Tiny Tiger Program.  She then asked if we ever thought about a mommy/daddy and me class.  Our reply was yes it was an idea but we never had enough interest to start something like that.

She said myself and a group of other moms are interested in this type of program.  We created a Facebook group yesterday just to explain how the program would work to the few moms interested and before we knew we had 28 members join the group.   
So here we are, Evolution Martial Arts Academy proudly presents Mini Cubs, we will start a 4 week free trial session.  Being led by an instructor Moms and Dads step on the mat with their child and work one on one with them.  
Just like our Tiny Tiger program we work on a variety of life skills including
  • Listening / Following directions
  • Focusing 
  • Hand eye coordination
  • Mobility drills 
  • Balance
  • Increased attention

Remember this program is to introduce kids to martial arts while having fun in a safe family atmosphere.  Even shy children will love idea because they can work with mom and dad on the mat and not be intimidated by a new instructor.  It’s also a great way to meet other children and socialize.  

Here is what you need to know regarding the program.
  • Once a week class every Sunday.
  • Free classes starting Sunday December 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th.
  • Time: 10-10:45am
  • Ages 2-4 – (An exception can be made)
  • No Uniforms needed during trial period. (Uniform will be required if continuing after trial)
  • Mini Cubs have same Tiny Tigers Curriculum.  
  • Bring a water bottle (can fill up at our water machine)
  • Before first class please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out a little paper work.
What happens after December 29th?
  • If enough parents feel there is value in this program and like it the Mini Cubs program will continue right into the new year.
  • Pricing – A 10 Class Power Pack must be purchased for $99.  The 10 Class Power Pack gets punched every time you and your child attends a class.  A power pack never expires so if you can’t make classes you just save the remaining classes for next time.  
  • A comparable martial arts school has a similar program which has an ongoing $115 per month membership.   
  • New parents will always receive 2 free classes to try out the program.
  • Family discounts will be offered for parents who want to take adult classes or older children who want to take martial arts.   
If you know anyone who maybe interested in a mommy/daddy and me martial arts class please share this link.  Keep in mind this is going to be a fun low key martial arts program that will just bring families closer together while building the EVO community.  
As always please email info@evomaa.net or leave a comment below with any questions.  Thanks.

You Parents Asked For It, Parents Night Out, Dec. 7th

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Lots of parents have been asking when is the next PNO?!?  We will be offering a Holiday Parents Night Out (PNO) on December 7th, 2013, from 5pm – 10pm.  This will be the perfect time for you to finish or start any Holiday shopping, or maybe its just a good night to go hang out and catch up with friends without kids.

Knowing your kids are safe, having fun, and being looked after by the EVO team this opportunity is too good to pass up.  Just like last time we will be serving pizza for dinner and finish the night with a movie.

Pricing (per child) –

$20 for Black Belt Club Members
$25 for Evolution Students
$30 for Non-Evolution Students

Items to Bring –

Water bottle (If they forget a bottle we will charge you for a water from the fridge)
Blankets and Pillows comfortable clothing for movie viewing

You can drop your child off at 4:45pm but must return by 10pm the latest.  There will be an additional fee if you are more than 15 minutes late.  This event is for children ages 5 and up (please contact Mr. Jason for special scenarios)

We know you parents don’t have many nights off, let us help lighten the load for one night.

 

Halloween Reminder, Jr & Tiny Tiger Classes Cancelled on Halloween.

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Quick reminder Tiny Tiger and Jr classes are cancelled on Halloween, October 31st, due to the fact that most kids will be getting ready and going out trick or treating.  Please stay safe when trick or treating and have parents examine all candy and items found in bags.  

Just like last year if you would like to you can wear your costume to class on Wednesday October 30th.  You can bring your full costume but any masks and other accessories must be put off to the side when taking class.  If you are not wearing a costume to class, normal hapkido attire required.  
Class schedule for Wednesday October 30th is normal schedule. No changes for Adult schedule on Halloween.

Free Movie Night Friday Nov 8th. Bring Your Friends and Watch Monsters University.

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We are offering a free movie night at Evolution Martial Arts Academy on Friday November 8th.  Invite your friends and come watch Monsters University on our big screen.  If you missed your chance to watch it in the theaters you can come watch it here for free with your friends.

The movie will start promptly at 7:45pm we suggest you arrive around 7:30.  Please plan to feed dinner to your children before you arrive, the only thing we will be serving is fresh popped popcorn.  Have your child bring a bottle of water or their favorite drink and any other snacks they prefer.  
Also remember to have them bring your favorite pillows and blankets so can lay back and enjoy the movie.  The movie will end at 9:30pm, parents if you are not staying please come back and pick them up by 9:45.     
Fliers will available for you to pass out to invite your friends with all the details.  Hope to see some of you here.  Below is a quick summary
  • 11-8-13 (7:30-9:30pm)
  • Monsters University
  • Fresh popcorn
  • Bring preferred snacks or drinks (avoid too much sugar kids running around like monsters is not fun) 
  • Bring pillows and blankets
  • Parents enjoy 2 hours off

Students Projected to Test at the End of October.

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Click on the link below to view a list of students currently projected to test at the end of October.  Parents please save the date, the time of the actual exam may change.  Please visit this page every couple of weeks to see if a name has been added or removed.

Same format as the last test in August.  Exams will be on Friday for Juniors, Saturday will be an exam for Tiny Tigers followed by Graduation at 10:30am.

Parents please bring juniors the following day for Graduation if you do not hear from us.  No News is Good News.  Parents if your child did not meet the requirements to pass their exam we will contact you by 9:30pm that night, via phone call and email.

34 Days and 12 Hours to practice, practice, practice

https://www.evomaa.net/exams.html

BBQ at the Park Pot Luck Postponed Due to the Heat

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No one likes hanging outside if its too hot and uncomfortable.  Drinks would get warm, delicious chocolate desserts would melt, kids wouldn’t be able to run around.  We have decided to move our “end of summer” bbq to a different date, not set yet.  We will make this event more of a “start of fall” BBQ.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.  We rather move it than not have anyone show up because of the heat.  Stay cool everyone.

View Student Testing List from Smartphone, Available Now.

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Some of the parents who don’t have any kids testing weren’t sure if their child was testing or not.  As a reminder please visit our website and click on the count down timer at the top of the page regularly to view the list of students testing.

If you visit our website on your smart phone we now have a page up for you to view the list.  Click “Next Belt Exam” button to view the list from your phone.

Here is the link, https://www.evomaa.net/exams.html. Hope this helps all you parents out there.  

Important Testing Dates and Labor Day Holiday Aug 31st – Sept 2nd

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It’s belt testing time again, lots of new white belts trying to achieve their orange belt and a few green belts going for blue belt level 1 our highest ranking as of now.  So here are some of the details regarding testing and the holiday weekend:

Friday August 30th
5pm – White Belts Testing 
6pm – Orange, Yellow, Green Belts Testing
7pm – Adults Testing
NO Regular Hapkido or Tiny Tiger Classes
Below is the list of the students testing as of now.

JUNIORS

  • Liana M. (6pm)
  • Dustin L. (6pm)
  • Mimi L. (6pm)
  • Leah T. (6pm)
  • Massi T. (6pm)
  • Diego S. (6pm)
  • Ryan C. (6pm)
  • Armaan S. (5pm)
  • Yuvraj S. (5pm)
  • Rosa C. (5pm)
  • Sammy A. (5pm)
  • Manny A. (5pm)
  • Devon W. (5pm)
  • Alexis W. (5pm)
  • Jailyn W. (5pm)
ADULTS

  • Jay W. (7pm)
  • Catherine O. (7pm)
  • David S. (7pm)
  • Sam M. (7pm)
Saturday August 31st
9:30-10:15am – Tiny Tigers Testing
10:30 – 11am – Belt Graduation for Tiny Tigers and Jrs
NO Regular Hapkido or Tiny Tiger Classes
Below is the list of Tiny Tigers Testing
  • Aarsh S. (9:30am)
  • Alessandro P. (9:30am)
  • Kyndall W. (9:30am)
  • Jeremiah C. (9:30am)
Monday September 2nd
CLOSED No Classes Labor Day Holiday