Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge

This is my sons first year with the club, and he absolutely loves being a part of it. We love the supportive staff and fun activities that he has an opportunity to engage with, ESPECIALLY the Taekwondo program. This is a huge positive experience for the kids and we are happy to have the opportunity to have our child participate. We have tried team sports in the past and they all pale in comparison to what our son learns here. The children are learning so much to help them through life in this class, but my favorites are: self-respect, determination, leadership, how to handle themselves with BULLIES, always doing their best, doing the right thing, setting goals for themselves, RESPECT for their parents and teachers, not to mention the physical and mental accomplishments of taking a martial art. We cannot say enough good things about this program and we are so thankful to be able to have access to the ATA Black Belt Academy of VA through the Boys and Girls Club. Our son is thriving because of it and we are blessed to have had the chance. We love it so much in fact, we joined the adult class ourselves!

I’m in a unique position...I do not have any children at the Boys & Girls Club. What I DO have in regards to a relationship with the Boys &Girls Club of the Blue Ridge is a class of 38 children and another class of 12 adults...parents of the children.nnIt has been such an honor and a privilege to help Mrs. Wargo of the ATA Black Belt Academy of Virginia with the Taekwondo classes. In just over a year, I have witnessed the amazing changes that have taken place in each child AND each adult, including myself. The children who walked through those doors a year ago, shy, lacking in self-esteem and confidence, often keeping to themselves, subjected to bullying at school? Those children now stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence in themselves and their abilities.nnOne young lady had been the horrible victim of bullying; no one of authority had witnessed these events because she was so shy and beaten down from years of bullying. UNTIL one day, she reacted. How? By doing what Mrs. Wargo has ingrained in each of us...safety first and always, walk away safely...above all, hands up, palms out and simply say “stop, you’re too close” repeatedly and loudly. Palms open means you’re in defense mode....not attacking. It’s a simple gesture....and it finally worked. She found her voice!! The bully was finally suspended. Now? That young lady walks and stands a little taller.nnRespect, courtesy, loyalty, self control, disciple....I see these same mantras throughout the Boys & Girls Club. I HEAR those same qualities repeated from the adults who work within the walls of the Boys and Girls Club. I believe God always has a plan, and if we are still, we just may hear that plan. In this, absolutely believe that God’s Hand is at work doing miraculous things within the children, parents, the ATA Black Belt Academy of Virginia and the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge. The partnership between the two are priceless and such a blessing to so many, and I for one am SOOOOOO grateful for the opportunity to work and learn from so many beautiful souls.nnMy husband, Dr.James Isernia and my daughter, Lindsay, are also students who attend classes on Thursdays at the Boys & Girls Club. Two of my best friends, Terri and Michelle, are also students. What this opportunity brings, not just for the ATA Academy or even to the Boys and Girls Club, but to our COMMUNITY, cannot be put into words. Every day, the program is growing, which means more students and more community involvement did the Boys and Girls Club...and THAT is a beautiful thing.nnI am so grateful to the Boys & Girls Club and to Mrs Wargo for both having the insight that such a program could do soooo much in such a short amount of time. Many, many thanks to you both. God bless!