May 2, 2007 10:26 pm US/Eastern
The Karate Kids Of Liberty City
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LIBERTY CITY (CBS4) ―
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Liberty City "Karate Kids"
CBS4
Lorenzo Whitehead is a commander in the Miami police department, and he's started an uplifting and challenging program in a neighborhood he once lived, Liberty City. He's since moved back.
He teaches 110 Liberty City children twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. The class is karate, and it's free as long as the children do four hours of chores and homework at home. What he teaches doesn't stop with the children, it extends to parents who must also make a commitment of getting involved, keeping the children in the class.
White said that one can't save everybody, but "we can save a few". And he added, "I think it's incumbent among all of us to make sure that we give back to the community of which we came from."
Alina Spears is just one of the 110 karate kids enrolled. She's a 'yellow belt', and says she must do her chores, which works out to four hours every weekend, to keep on participating in these lessons. And parents must make a commitment, too, which they have, making the program all that more successful.
Success is measured with a completely different outlook, one that is difficult to maintain, and it consists of a mentor, parental involvement, and children to remain interested. The program is a success, teaching these children about discipline and maturity so they have just enough of a foundation to make good decisions.
Artis Neloms is a parent and sees a different attitude among the children. Juanita Shanks says it 'teaches them that they are more powerful than they think."
All of this in the center of one of the most blighted and barren and poorer areas of south Florida's urban landscape: Liberty City.
The "karate kids" program has been entirely funded by Commander White until last week with the Miami Police Athletic League now involved, too.
And if you would like to get involved call 305 579-6184 or visit the league's website at http://www.miamipal.org.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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