Ready to help Thousand Waves do our mission-based work?

I have been practicing seido karate at thousand waves for nearly 12 years. Growing up at the dojo has helped me in countless ways. I have learned how to respect everyone and everything around me, how to stand up for myself when I have been struggling with bullying, I have gained self confidence in my ability to use practical self defense in dangerous situations that will hopefully never happen. Thousand waves is a caring and supportive community that does nothing but help those who go there to train, and I am extremely thankful that I've been able to do so for nearly as long as I can remember.

Thousand Waves is a mission-driven not-for-profit in the city of Chicago that has been active in the community for over 33 years with a mission to foster fitness, healing, empowerment, and peacemaking.

The Spirit Challenge Fundraiser supports Thousand Waves' work in three critical areas:

• Scholarship program, which provides funding for children and adults who wouldn't otherwise be able to study karate or self-defense.
• Adapted Seido Karate program (ASK), which provides karate for youth with disabilities. I volunteer at ASK, it is an amazing experience. I’ve been volunteering there for a few years now, and the best part of it is being able to see the progress each student has made over that time. It’s truly amazing.
• Self-Defense/Violence Prevention program, which provides Self-defense and Bystander Intervention workshops and courses all over the city.

Thousand Waves was named based on the Japanese saying, "One wave sets thousands in motion." Thank you for helping us make waves!