Lake City, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A Lake City martial arts program is providing scholarships for special needs kids to experience martial arts.

Gaylon Jones is the owner and a senior instructor of Action Martial Arts, an inclusive program teaching students of all ages various martial arts practices, such as taekwondo, grappling, and karate. The program recently launched a scholarship for kids who cannot afford classes.

The scholarship starts with a two-week free trial period, after which, Jones said, a family needing the scholarship would approach him privately and may answer a few financial questions to apply.

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“I don’t really have a qualification; I don’t do background checks, nothing like that,” he said. “I am a Christian first and foremost, so I pray about every decision. So, if a parent was to come up to me, I would have the meeting and then I would always say, ‘Hey, let me pray about it and let me see what we can do.'”

He added that he felt the scholarship is his way of giving back to the community.

“I personally came from, I would say, a level of poverty, growing up, and if it wasn’t for my instructor as a kid letting me train basically for free and [letting] me do side jobs and stuff to work it off, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today,” Jones said. “I don’t want to turn a kid away and say, ‘No, you can’t train because you can’t pay. I want you to come in here, train, and then we’ll get it figured out.'”

Funding for the scholarship comes from fees collected from lessons. Action Martial Arts charges $50 per month. Jones added that if a family is able to resume paying for lessons, they are asked to let him know, as it opens up a spot for another student who may need it.

Of the 18 to 22 students Action Martial Arts sees, three are currently on scholarship, Jones said.

Jones is a registered behavior technician and has trained in martial arts for nearly 15 years. At the school, kids with autism, anxiety, ADHD, or other special needs are trained in various breathing techniques and routines before gradually learning martial arts.

The school recently moved to a new location, with plans to eventually include a sensory room for students. It will be completely matted, have a crash pad, sensory swing, and more. Jones said he already had all the materials for the room, and it should be completed and ready for use in a few weeks.

Jones said martial arts allows special needs students to feel included, as well as teaches self-regulation skills and confidence.

“When they come to our martial arts program, they truly get to get involved, they get to be part of the games, and they get to be part of a team,” he said. “That’s why I think martial arts makes a big difference.”

Action Martial Arts is located at 100 Cottonwood St. in Lake City. It can be contacted at 870-573-9978.

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