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Orange Couni , Youth Commission <br />Santa Ana, California <br />WIA 20010- 2011 <br />PROPOSAL NARRATIVE <br />ABOUT THE PROGRAM <br />A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />The Santa Ana Boxing Club is a unique asset in our community that draws teenagers to <br />the exciting sport of boxing and the opportunity to become part of the Santa Ana Boxing <br />Club Team. The purpose of the Club is to provide vulnerable low-income youth with a <br />safe and motivating environment. We have the necessary expertise and resources to <br />strengthen their academic performance and build their character and leadership potential. <br />The Club has an inviting, supportive atmosphere for youth -- particularly at-risk youth -- <br />as it provides professional boxing instruction coupled with focused academic tutoring, <br />leadership development and individual counseling. The Club is also a site for mentoring <br />and job development. Efforts are geared to preparing youth for a successful high school <br />graduation, post-secondary education, employment and self-sufficiency. Therefore, this <br />program mirrors the goals of WIA. <br />The Santa Ana Boxing Club provides boxing training, academic tutoring and character <br />education in a historic boxing facility at 901 E. Fourth Street. The gym is unique, and an <br />old historical street boxing gym, Clients are attracted to the exciting environment of <br />students boxing in the boxing ring, punching bags, jumping rope, working out on <br />equipment, and with weights. Currently we have computers in a section of the gym which <br />enable clients to have a place to study and do homework. We are in hopes, with the help <br />of this WAI Grant that we will be able to rent and take over the adjacent building to the <br />Santa Ana Boxing Club. The boxing gym is open weekdays from 3 to 4 p.m. for tutoring <br />and on Saturdays we have a 2 hour intensive session of tutoring. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. <br />the Boxing Club is open to those who want to improve their boxing skills. Staff arrive at <br />the Boxing Club at 2 pm to do paperwork and make phone calls. They are also available <br />to the clients that want to get advice and need direction. This program focuses on <br />developing discipline, sportsmanship, as well as boxing skills. Our teens compete in <br />boxing tournaments and gain an attitude of perseverance and self-confidence. The Boxing <br />Club Director is a certified drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor and a certified <br />boxing coach with USA Boxing. We invite successful business people and community <br />leaders to share their stories with the youth. They share about their professions, the <br />lessons they have learned and mistakes they have made inspiring our young people, <br />exposing them to career options and showing them how to attain their dreams. Speakers <br />often stay to answer individual questions and have one-on-one discussions with the <br />youths. <br />1 <br />EXHIBIT A