Help us create a LEVEL GROUND for Boston's Urban Youth. Join us in providing premier athletic, academic, and professional development opportunities so that our kids will be empowered to fight for - and seize - their dreams!
About the 15 for 15 Campaign
Help us create a Level Ground for Boston! We will raise a minimum of $15,000 to:
1) Provide quality college readiness programming to 50 youth ($2,000)
2) Link 20 youth to professional mentors ($1,500)
3) Offer in-house employment to 2 additional youth ($7,500)
4) Expand athletic training to 120 youth ($2,000)
5) Sponsor a traveling team of 15 youth to compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on a monthly basis ($2,000)
About Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts
Hey Guys!
I'm Ali, the Founder and Executive Director of Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts. We use the sports of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai to empower urban youth in Boston to fight for - and seize - their dreams. Our youth live in the neighborhoods of Boston that experience the highest levels of poverty, violence, and disparities in health and education. Through these sports, we create an awesome community for kids and young adults, getting them off the streets and into the gym! We provide:
- Professional Development and Mentorship
- College Readiness through Tutoring and Case Management
- Youth Employment
- Monthly Competition Opportunities
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Moving Beyond $15K...
Help us launch the Level Ground Studio - Boston's Urban Academic & MMA Training Center
In memory of Tyler Keene, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt and beloved friend, Level Ground will open the
'Tyler Keene Athletic and Academic Training Center' in the Winter of 2015.
Help us launch 6 MONTHS EARLY...by July 2015! Funds in excess of $15,000 will go towards this studio!This studio will provide the following opportunities for youth:
- Premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts training.
- Professional mentorship.
- Daily Academic and Career Support, with access to our community college, 4-year university, trade school, and workforce development network.
- Daily Life Skills training, with an emphasis on nutrition and food preparation, and physical and mental health and wellness.
It will also host robust community classes for adults to broaden our impact in Boston's urban neighborhoods. Adults will have access to premier training in MMA and healthy living at a discounted rate.
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Accomplishments to Date:
Since it's founding only 15 months ago, Level Ground has
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Expanded to 4 sites, representing over 100 youth served on a weekly basis
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Directly linked 100% of graduating high school students with the opportunity to earn a college degree at Northeastern University
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Extended in-house employment opportunities to 5 youth through our Program “Assistantship” where they receive experience in management and leadership
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Formed an active, traveling competition team which has earned over 50 medals at 9 nationally-ranked grappling competitions
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Launched our professional mentorship program where youth are individually paired with a positive adult role model to receive additional professional development opportunities
We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to even more youth this coming year. Thank you so much for joining us and making a LEVEL GROUND for Boston.
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Level Ground MMA is a fiscally-sponsored organization by the Black Ministerial Alliance. All donations are tax deductible, and donors will receive a tax-receipt upon request.