Earthshaking News!

1.Paul Kaminski -
The First to Graduate!

2.Unprecedented Funding Received!

This month has provided Ligo Dojo with a collection of the best possible news imaginable. At the top of the list: The graduation of Paul Kaminski (24) of Connecticut. Paul, this week, attained his goal of remaining 1000 consecutive days in the Budo Karate House Dormitory. This is no small challenge. Indeed +/-70 BKH residential students over the past 9 years FAILED to complete this goal. Paul was first. He returned home this week, honorably, to see his family for the first time in 1000 days and he leaves behind, in the dormitory, Kenny and Aaron, who plan on being the next two to graduate. Paul is fighting with us in Korea in August and Budapest (in the world tournament) in October. We have offered him a position with a full salary and we expect that in a half year or so, he will return to teach at Ligo Dojo and work towards a time when he can operate his own dojo. This is up to him, of course! Either way, he goes forward into life knowing that he can do whatever he sets out to achieve. Good for you, Kaminski!! You have a family here for life!

Ligo Dojo, a 501.c.3 nonprofit, got all four of the grants it applied for for next year. And it's about time!! We have persisted for 9 years without external funding. Special thanks to the Governor's Crime Commission ($70,000 over two years), Triangle Community Foundation ($15,000 gift), Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (Durham County) ($12,000 gift), and the City of Durham ($40,000 over three years) for their joint sponsorship of the "Young Warriors Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program" in which children who are at-risk of falling into anti-social routines can train, without charge at Ligo Dojo (provided they are referred by participating agencies). This program is already in full-swing and is resulting in unprecedented growth in our student body. On the behalf of Budo Karate House and Ligo Dojo, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to these agencies for recognizing the incredible value that Ligo Dojo can provide for the future of Durham by teaching its young people. You have put your eggs in the right basket! Our program is in full swing and we will surpass our stated goals!