A Better Body US, Inc.

Inspire, educate and equip all students, especially the socially and economically challenged students to finish high school and go on to college, pick better partners when dating, make smarter choices, avoid temptations, and overcome obstacles.

The ABB4ME mental health and fitness course also support at-risk youth to have a facility to go to and participate in activities through martial arts as well as mental health discussions in how to deal with anger and frustration, how to make good choices, and discuss positive ways to handle life challenges. These classes are for youth five to 24 years old. With the effects of COVID 19, many children and parents are having a hard time coping with the isolation and need support to get balanced on how they approach the changes taken place in their lives.

The Fitness Challenges are starting in 2021 which will be held virtually and this will help those who cannot come to classes due to transportation and time issues. In this challenge, they will participate in a physical challenge within thirty days and receive a medal and shirt for their accomplishment. These will be held quarterly with different themes. All ages five and up are invited to participate.

1. To teach 30 lesson plans virtually over a period of 15 weeks to middle and high school students.

2. Set up the Fitness Challenges quarterly in 2021

3. Acquire grants to support the programs

4. Expand by adding contract labor for media and instructors for teaching

5. Have classes after school and at night four times a week instead of just two which was cut back from the pandemic.

6. Recruit active board members for better support

7. The entire organization is run by volunteer efforts. One or two paid staff positions are greatly needed.

1. Take classes on Zoom to learn how to set up the classes and teach the student's life skills and provide
encouragement to set and meet goals

2. January 2021 starts the first Fitness Challenge called Rise UP, then learn from the actions taken and continue the challenges quarterly. Learn more about social media posting to get the word out. Reach out to more sponsors and apply for grants to support the program. Find a grant writer.

3. Pay a subscription fee to places like Grants.gov and talk to organizations that help non-profits apply for funding. Reach out to SBA or other sources for training to become a grant writer

4. Hire contract labor to help with the media posting and teaching classes. Look for partnerships and perhaps
trade services.

5. Resume classes more often once the pandemic is safe to do so. We have a facility so we can do that on location

6. Ask other professionals to be board members. Read books on how to organize and motivate the board.

7. By increasing grant and fundraising support, charging a small membership fee or entry fee to participate in the programs, we should be able to meet the goal of one or two paid staff members.

Twenty-eight years ago, karate was the main focus on teaching. Seeing physical health played a large role in a better attitude, several certifications in fitness were acquired. Later the mental health and life skills required additional certification so in 2014, REAL Essentials certification was acquired and began in the local schools having the classes as an elective class. It expanded to 4 additional schools and lasted six years. Ending in 2020 due to the pandemic. The classes were finished virtually over the phone since most students did not have the internet or computers.

In 2020 with the COVID situation, we realized how many have been affected mentally by the closing of schools and chaos. So A Better Body has acquired additional training in mental health coaching to help students adapt. A merge of the UPKUDO karate classes and the mental health training classes created the ABB4Me program. Once the facility was allowed to reopen classes began twice a week teaching physical, emotional, and mental skills to help the attendees feel better about themselves, learn how to cope with adversity, strengthen the discipline and respect aspects of karate and physically give them an outlet to work off stress. The classes also help them not feel alone and have a chance to interact while maintaining social distancing. All safety standards are adhered to such as temperature check and hand-sanitizing in addition to mask-wearing and social distancing. We also purchased a UV light that santizes and sterizes the room.

At the end of the classes, while students are stretching and cooling down from their workout, they are asked a few questions or given scenarios on how they would deal with the situation. Each student gives their opinion and the instructor guides them through core principles such as how to resolve conflict, how to deal with bullying, how to handle frustration and anger, and more.

The students miss competition but so many events are canceled so we decided to have fitness challenges a year where the students or anyone could participate in challenging themselves to a physical thirty-day exercise
program on their time at their location. The challenge also requires at least one random act of kindness to be performed. Social media will help us record some of the participants doing the exercises properly on YouTube and how they have had fun doing them. A suggested workout routine was created so that a child, adult or senior could do it with modifications. For those who have more strength, they can add more reps or weight based on what is available to them.

The best way to have a better body is to have a better mind and spirit. The Rise Up Challenge is sure to get people motivated. The ABB4ME is opening the door to rising up to new levels of confidence and happiness. All the programs have a common theme to do whatever it takes to create "A Better Me" . Competition has resumed and 30 students have signed up for ABB4ME program.