Who Do We Help?

The Sheng Chi Foundation concentrates its efforts on helping the following situations:

• At-Risk Youth – Youths that are living in conditions which puts them at risk of entering criminal behavior. In general youths that need guidance and a positive influence. This is our primary focus. Funds permitting we also develop programs for the following:
• Inactive and obese youth – Youths lacking in exercise programs. At risk of childhood obesity.
• Returning veterans – Veterans returning from war.
• Recovering addicts – Those who have shown a strong desire to improve their quality of life.
• Senior Citizens - Senior citizens in need of programs to develop balance and strength.
• Fibromyalgia and chronic pain - Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia have experienced dramatic results.
• Adults with weight management issues

Organizational Information - 501 (c) (3)

The Sheng Chi Foundation is a tax exempt public charity with IRS 501 (c)(3) status. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by the IRS. This includes in-kind donations.

Guidestar Listing

Realizing the many benefits which can be gained by the program of instruction in Shou' Shu' we work to place those who will benefit into the program. In addition to program sponsorship we have an advocate work to make sure the student has transportation to and can attend classes and functions. We've found this “Keeping tabs” on these students is oftentimes essential.

These are typically children who come from poor households. Because of low levels of self-esteem and lack of direction, these youths are at high risk of involvement in criminal activities. We feel that we have been able to have enough of a positive influence in the lives of these youths to put them on a positive and successful track.

The Sheng Chi Training Center teaches a strictly self-defense art known as Shou’ Shu’. Through the learned ability to defend oneself students develop a high level of self-esteem and self-confidence, while also becoming or remaining humble. Through hard work they develop self-discipline and through a system of incremental rewards they develop goal setting. Classes are both physically and mentally demanding. They develop physical fitness while at the same time providing intense mental stimulus. The art we teach involves a high degree of cross lateral motions, which have been shown to greatly enhance brain development. These types of motions are not typically found in other physical activities. Other developmental benefits include visualization skills, which we have found lacking in today’s youth due to the large amount of time spent with television and video games.

Impact of Activities

Our programs have had a tremendous impact on the lives of our previously sponsored students, a few of which we have been able to observe over the long term. We have seen youths that come from families who have never had a family member graduate high school who are pulling 3.0 grade point averages (often just to be able to be part of our demo team), and making plans for college. Although they come from environments where teen pregnancies and becoming a burden on the welfare system are the norm, these youths are very energetic with big goals. They are already in leadership positions helping to transform the lives of others from similar situations.

We have seen situations where all of a sponsored student’s siblings are in jail or on probation, yet the sponsored student is able to separate himself from that environment and not only stay out of trouble but become a productive and helpful member of society.

We commonly observe these youths befriending other youths in our program who are from completely different social backgrounds. The lines of social and economic status have completely been erased. These youths are as comfortable interacting with youths from exceptional economic backgrounds as if they came from that background themselves. This is highly unusual at the ages we see this; it occurs in youths of all ages, but is especially unexpected in those of teenage years.

We’ve seen the full spectrum of these youths — some just needed a gentle push, others have needed a great deal of attention to make a lasting difference in their lives.

We have observed tremendous positive results with those suffering from stress disorders such as PTSD and Fibromyalgia. Seniors in our programs have experienced many physical benefits which help enable them to live independently.

We expect the Sheng Chi Foundation to have a big impact, not only on these individual s but also on the lives around them and society at large. Every time we can influence someone to have a positive role in society rather than a negative one, our work has paid off in a very beneficial way.

Work Plan / Specific Activities

We have a specific curriculum designed for different age groups and situations. These are age specific curriculum and are designed around the needs and capabilities of their age group. The age breakdown is as follows:

Ages 5-6

• Attention span
• Following instruction
• Body awareness
• Balance and coordination
• Working with others
• Gross motor skills

Ages 7-12

• Self-esteem
• Self-discipline
• Control
• Physical fitness
• Goal setting
• Gross motor skills
• Balance and coordination

Ages 13-18

• Positive role model
• Positive social outlet
• Gross motor skill development
• Self-esteem
• Self-discipline
• Self-defense
• Physical fitness

Adult Programs

• Physical fitness
• Stress management
• Self defense
• positive social outlet
• Self-Esteem
• Self discipline
• Self confidence

Senior Programs

• Balance
• Physical fitness
• Bone density and strength
• Positive socialization

Our classes are structured around these needs and abilities. The most productive method of introducing the students into the teaching curriculum is to admit them to our regular ongoing classes. The class atmosphere has already been established in these classes, and new students tend to want to conform to an already positive atmosphere. By having this class atmosphere in place, new students easily and readily learn how to act by observing others. In some situations special classes are formed to benefit those with special needs but the goal is to transition to regular classes.

Evaluation

The majority of the evaluation of the success of this project is of a subjective nature. There are no measurement standards for things such as self-confidence or self esteem. We cannot prove, using exacting scientific studies that the life successes we see are directly caused by our programs. However, due to the large number of successes we see, we can infer that we are making a large impact.

We do feel evaluation is an important part of the process, and we will monitor those things we can, such as grade point averages. In the past we have always seen a dramatic change. In addition, we will provide a subjective report, and attempt to obtain statements from individuals who have a relationship with the youths and are able to perceive the differences the program has made. We will publish these reports to the public as long as the results are not embarrassing in any way to the individuals in the program.