Area served Global Founded 16 August 1990 Assets 2.357 million USD (2011) Leader Chuck Norris | Founder Chuck Norris Motto Character through karate Revenue 3.689 million USD (2011) | |
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Formation August 16, 1990; 26 years ago (1990-08-16) Type Non-profit organization Purpose Building strong moral character in our youth through martial arts Location Houston, Texas, United States Membership Middle school &
High school students Headquarters Houston, Texas, United States Profiles | ||
The kickstart kids program
Kickstart Kids is a martial arts character development program non-profit organization, formed by Chuck Norris on August 16, 1990 as the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation.
Contents
Kickstart kids program
History
On August 16, 1990, the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation (dba KICKSTART KIDS) was formed by martial artist, actor and philanthropist, Chuck Norris. He wanted to provide a martial arts program that came at no cost to the students, a program that would teach kids all the valiant traits the martial arts has to offer.
In 1992, with the help of former President George H.W. Bush, the program was officially implemented in four schools in the Houston area: Burbank, Central, Hamilton, and Hogg.
Today, the program operates in over 50 schools in the Houston, Dallas, Galveston, Linden-Kildare, and Austin areas of Texas. The program is taught in mostly middle/junior high schools and some high schools. They currently serve over 8,000 of today's youth, making a positive impact in their lives by teaching character through karate.
In 2003, the foundation was renamed to KICKSTART KIDS (it still maintains its official name as Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation, but now it has added a "dba" – doing business as – Kickstart Kids).
The stated mission of KICKSTART KIDS is to give middle school students the tools and support necessary to resolve conflicts, avoid participating in gangs, choose a drug-free lifestyle, resist negative peer pressure, remain in school until they graduate, while achieving a higher level of academic success and ultimately becoming productive members of our communities.