DIMA and COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, DIMA is committed to continuing to provide quality martial arts education while also keeping our students safe through limited contact and social distancing. On June 24, we will begin offering indoor classes in accordance with Illinois's Phase 4 guidelines.
Fight For Your Dreams
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Community is one of DIMA's core values, and we want to spread it around the world. In Fall 2018, Begin Anew, an organization that works to provide clean water, food, and education to villages in Uganda, reached out to Master Duque and asked him to spearhead a new initiative to establish martial arts schools for at-risk youth. He enthusiastically accepted, and now DIMA is partnering with Begin Anew to establish Fight For Your Dreams (FFYD), a nonprofit organization that will soon begin raising funds for training equipment so we can give kids there an opportunity to improve their lives and build a fun and safe community.
Many young kids in certain areas of Uganda are vulnerable to negative influences, such as drug abuse and sex trafficking, but a strong eduction in martial arts can help them overcome these temptations and dangers. Not only will the schools provide a stable after-school structure by keeping them engaged in active activities, but through learning taekwondo, these kids will learn how to set and achieve goals, motivate themselves, establish self-discipline and self-respect, and learn to focus. Through relationships with the teachers and the friendships they develop through martial arts, these children will be able to fight for their dreams.
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"Hello Master Duque! Hello DIMA!"
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Fundraising Opportunities
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In order to accomplish these goals, Fight For Your Dreams needs help from DIMA friends and family and the Ottawa community!
We will host a series of fundraising events throughout 2020 so that we can donate targets, sparring gear, belts and uniforms, wavemasters, and other necessary training equipment. Helps us make these kids' dreams a reality and fight for what they believe in. #FFYD #DIMAstrong #wecanwewill
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Fundraiser 1: Movie Night - Karate Kid (2010)
Join us at DIMA on Saturday, January 11, 5:30-7:30pm for a movie night fundraiser for Fight For Your Dreams! For only $5 per child, we'll provide a great movie, juice and popcorn, and fun and safe environment. Donations are welcome.
Karate Kid summary: When work causes his single mother to move to China, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) is bullied in his new neighborhood. He meets Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), an aging maintenance man and kung fu master, who teaches Dre the secrets of self defense and helps him to embrace the art of kung fu.
Karate Kid summary: When work causes his single mother to move to China, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) is bullied in his new neighborhood. He meets Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), an aging maintenance man and kung fu master, who teaches Dre the secrets of self defense and helps him to embrace the art of kung fu.
