Finding alternatives for kids

My favorite student at school isn't a rocket scientist. She's got a thick ass IEP (individualized education program) and she feels defeated. She doesn't have the credits to be in the grade she's supposed to be. She also has a crazy family life and social environment. One time she got jumped because some girl was trying to get into a gang and the gang told the girl that she had to beat up my student to get in the gang. In short, the girl needs some protection. I talk to her about finding a safe place for herself, but that in itself means nothing. I wanted to find an alternative for her. Someplace that she could be safe and learn how to protect herself.

The first martial art that I ever learned was judo. Learning how to fall was one of the best things I ever learned to do. I figured my girl needed to learn some martial arts. I used to train at this really cool ju-jitsu dojo and I'm still good friends with the instructors there. I decided to take her to the dojo and if she was interested, then I would pay for her classes. My friends at the dojo are totally cool and they have a sliding scale payment plan so I knew that if she got into it classes wouldn't break my meager pocketbook.

The first time that we went she just watched. Her dad made her come with her little sister because he didn't trust her. Understandable. The girl isn't a saint, but then neither is her father. Her little sister got really excited and was into the ju-jitsu too. The second time we went I made her get out on the mat. You don't learn ju-jitsu by watching... unless you are really good. After training, she was really into it. She said that she wanted to train 3 days a week. The next day, she told me that she was showing her family everything she learned and they were practicing with her. Fucking family bonding with the dysfunctional family! I love it!

I'm hoping that getting into ju-jitsu will get her into something other than the crazy life that she is into right now. I'm hoping that ju-jitsu will teach her physical self-defense as well as mental and emotional self-defense. I don't know if she'll graduate (she's almost 17 with barely sophomore credits), but I'll try and help her however I can.