SPARC’s Link Up group Demonstrates Martial Arts for White Plains Pre-Schoolers

Press Release: SPARC’s Link Up group Demonstrates Martial Arts for White Plains Pre-Schoolers

Date: May 3, 2017

Event date: May 3 – 10:30-11:30

Photos: attached

Contact: Kat Klein CTRS, SPARC, 914-243-0583, kat@sparcinc.org

On 5/3/17 SPARC’s Link Up group gave a martial arts demonstration to White Plains pre-schoolers. The highlight was board breaking by each participant. Link Up, a program created for high functioning young adults with developmental disabilities meets at the White Plains Presbyterian Church and explores the area learning how to navigate the streets, buses and train while discovering and visiting local businesses. Joe Lippman has been teaching the group martial arts once a week. The training builds confidence and respect. Practice gives the young adults exercise and helps them to learn patience and control. The Pre-schoolers were mesmerized and full of energy wanting to try some moves. Interaction of the two groups benefited both the young adults and the preschoolers as the Link Up group explained the benefits of practicing marital arts particularly focus. Joe learned at and now teaches at Yoo’s Martial Arts. He works with all ages including people with special needs both at the school and independently.

Other activities that Link Up has been doing around White Plains is visiting the Arts Council, making PSA announcements for the local cable station, visit with the Armed Services Recruiting Office, tours of Banks, making pizza at Uno’s, using the library for lectures, exhibits, classes and research and many more places around town. The Link Up group also does community service projects such as making sandwiches once a month for the Grace Church soup kitchen, reads to the children in pre-school at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, collect books for the library store and decorate t-shirts for a thrift shop.

Thanks!

Kat Klein, CTRS

Program Coordinator

SPARC, Inc

914-243-0583