Want to join me in supporting a good cause? Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps.
We offer traditional Aikido classes to youth and adults. Donations make scholarships available for low-income families and veterans.
We also promote Aikido as a vehicle for self improvement and healing and have conducted workshops for recovering addicts, veterans with PTSD, mental health patients, jail inmates, and other under-served populations.
Moving into 2025, our most exciting news is that we are transitioning from a "portable dojo", to a dedicated space that we will have unlimited use of.
But this will increase our monthly rent.
So we're hoping we can count on your support as we make this transition.
Thank you in advance. 🙏😌
I've included detailed information about Aikido Kenkyukai International USA below.
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Aikido Kenkyukai International, USA ("AKI USA") is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Every year we work to raise money so we can continue our important work in the community. This work includes, but is not limited to:
SCHOLARSHIPS
With your help, we have provided over $50,000 worth of scholarships! Recipients include low-income youth, military veterans with PTSD, and other underserved populations.
SEMINARS
Each year we host at least three seminars with world-renowned instructors, attracting practitioners of all skill levels from around the globe. Scholarships are also available to those in need for these seminars.
SOLIDARITY & SUPPORT OF OTHER AIKIDO INSTRUCTORS AND GROUPS
In addition to the instructors in our own organization, every year we also host instructors outside of our affiliation. This gives our dojo members another perspective, enriching their Aikido experience.
We also do what we can to support the greater Aikido community, both inside our own affiliation and out. In 2018, for example, we joined forces with other Los Angeles dojos to help raise funds for Lee Lavi Sensei, the instructor of a neighboring dojo, whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
DESHI PROGRAM / DEDICATED TRAINING SPACE
Launching our "Deshi Program" (Immersion/Live-In Program). Candidates from around the globe have begun applying for our Deshi Program. For years, we have cut costs by being a "portable dojo", with roll-up mats in the basement of a church.
We are now transitioning to a dedicated space, with full-time usage. This will increase our monthly rent.
This will allow us to serve those young, serious students who are seeking to go deeper in their training, someday becoming professional, thereby ensuring the future of Aikido.
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
As Chief Instructor, I feel it's my duty to travel to Japan at least once a year to keep my skills sharp by training with the great grandson of the founder of Aikido, as well as other notable masters.
I take dojo members with me each time, including teens.
A few years ago, for example, I took Kevin, who was 16-year old at the time. It was a life-changing experience for him, training daily with high-level practitioners and instructors, while gaining insights to the Japanese culture. And a couple years ago, one of our 17-year-old members accompanied me on my European Tour, co-teaching youth classes there and participating fully (most times being my main "uke") in adults classes.
MORE MATS
We have a good problem - our membership is growing! Currently, our most pressing need is for more tatami for our headquarter dojo in Los Angeles!
Any amount helps! Please give what you can!
With gratitude,
Lia Suzuki Head Instructor / Executive Director
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1st Lia Suzuki $1,671.63 raised 17 donations
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