This month I have selected the New Breed Life Arts and Educational Association, Inc. as one of New York?s outstanding not-for-profit organizations.
Founded in 1974 by Lamarr Thornton and Brandford Gonzales, New Breed Life Arts and Education Association or ?NBLA? has devised a prescription for combating anti-social and aggressive behavior in children and young teens living in the various New York City communities.
The NBLA philosophy is ?education through martial arts? and its multi-disciplinary and comprehensive 60-hour-a-week programs are designed primarily to service the after-school and all-day Saturday needs of the underserved K through 12-youth groups. The very capable Ms. Varian Wright serves as its Program Administrator.
Its flagship program is the Martial Arts Little League Scholarship Program, currently unfunded but in its second year ? thanks to the generous contribution of time and talent of Master teachers who volunteer to instruct economically disadvantaged pre-teens in the arts of self defense, conflict resolution and anger management.
Located at 233West 135th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell (7th Avenue) and Fredrick Douglass Blvd. (8th Avenue), NBLA provides youngsters with a secure physical space where they can find a supportive environment and the kinds of challenges necessary to constructively develop their moral consciousness.
The emphasis of the NBLA programs is on building self confidence, respect for others and love of order and tranquility in one?s life. The agenda also includes social communications and nutrition management classes to combat violence and obesity that is often perceived as endemic to our nation?s poorer communities.
The New Breed Life Arts and Education Association is the fulfillment of a dream of its principal founder, Mr. Lamarr Thornton, whose dedication to children and young teens has been manifested for more than thirty years throughout New York?s low income neighborhoods. Albeit, this organization is in dire need of operational and developmental funding and manages day-to-day on small donations from cash-strapped parents and guardians, local residents, and even from Mr. Thornton himself.
The true facts are that Mr. Thornton presently maintains two part-time jobs just to pay the rent and utilities and to help ensure that all kids have uniforms and protective gear. Of the seventy five youngsters currently enrolled in New Breed?s programs, more than half are non-paying, scholarship students whose parents are often single, working mothers who could not afford the fees for a traditional after-school program.
NBLA offers not only a place for kids to learn the ancient martial arts but it also hosts a free seniors? program that invites local residents throughout the City to participate in wellness training intended to improve their personal health and increase their longevity. It is the only physical development seniors program of its kind in the country that is taught by the Masters without charge. Along with others in the nonprofit community, I wish to applaud Mr. Thornton, Ms. Wright, and the staff at New Breed for providing a truly superlative and much needed social service to the younger and older citizens of the City of New York.
Michael Stuart
