Washington Black Belt Academy, 8463 164th Ave. NE in Redmond will present free Kidnapping Prevention workshops, Saturday, Oct. 18, under the auspices of a group called Kicksafe (www.kicksafe.net). Three sessions will take place from 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon.
King County Police will assist, distributing child identification kits and information about how to keep kids safe. Participants do not need to pre-register.
“I’m hoping a ton of people show up — I want the doors to be packed,” said John Andrews, owner and chief instructor at the Redmond location of Washington Black Belt Academy.
The academy has a second location in Renton.
Previously, Andrews has offered some free self-defense lectures for women and safety programs for kids at Redmond Elementary School.
“It’s inherent in what we do to give back to the community,” he explained. “I’m trying to set a good example for our students. They don’t just come here to kick and punch. We do canned food drives and other activities for philanthropy.”
Andrews, a Bellevue resident, opened his school in Redmond eight months ago, where he mostly teaches Tae Kwon Do, adhering to the curriculum of the World Tae Kwon Do Foundation.
“We use martial arts as a tool to build leaders and instill confidence, the same as a good basketball coach uses that skill to instill teamwork,” he said.
When students or their parents first come in to learn about his programs, he asks them, “What is it you’re looking for?”
“Most are not here to be the ultimate fighter,” he remarked. “Maybe they’re a little shy and need self-esteem. Some are totally the opposite — some kids just need more discipline or focus.”
When they master a difficult martial arts skills, he asks them to “use that same drive and ambition to improve what you do in math class.”
Among Andrews’ 50 full-time students, 80 percent are children and teens. He also has adult students who train with their kids or own their own. The classes are mostly all-ages and he likes to show kids that it’s not uncool to do things with their parents.
The kidnapping prevention workshops, however, will help children become more aware about adults they shouldn’t trust.
“It feels good to do something to help,” Andrews said.
For information about the kidnapping prevention workshops or classes at Washington Black Belt Academy, call (425) 869-6600 or visit www.wablackbelt.com.
