EmberWood Center proudly sponsors the Confidence Club, a positive youth and adult development program targeting substance use and violence prevention. The Confidence Club provides instruction in Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art, and has been nationally recognized.

Participants improve their self-confidence and learn skills to resist alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, as well as violence. The Confidence Club empowers successful life transitions. Through support, empowerment, clear boundaries and expectations, and the constructive use of time, The Confidence Club fosters a commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.

The Confidence Club welcomes participants of all ages. The majority of participants have traditionally been children of low income who reside in Indianapolis Public School districts. Programming includes classes for beginning and advanced students, individual instruction, tournament training, and participation in local, state, national, and international tournaments. Many participants win medals at regional, state, and national competitions.

One of the core features of the Confidence Club is family involvement, which is crucial for the success of the program. Family involvement occurs in family-led fund-raising activities, supervising trips, and participation in tournaments.

As a result of youth participation, parents report behavioral improvement and improvement in school grades. After 12 weeks of consistent participation, more than three-quarters of participants report improved self-confidence, commitment to learning, and constructive use of time. The Confidence Club’s intermediate and long-term outcomes indicate youth participants are more likely to develop into healthy, productive, and contributing adults.

Substance abuse and gang violence prevention is an integral part of the message presented at the Club. Tae Kwon Do, and its philosophy, are an effective tool in making a positive difference in the lives of young people. Participants learn the philosophy of martial arts in the Club and the result is learning respect, self-confidence, goal attainment, a sense of belonging, and physical fitness.

Click here to learn more about how the Confidence Club impacted one near eastside youth.