BRIDGEWATER - In todays fast-paced world, parents face constant challenges when trying to keep their children safe. Freedom Martial Arts of Bridgewater, teamed up with the Empower Family Success Center to host a public community event on May 15 that taught children valuable life skills and inspired family togetherness.

30% of students in the U.S., grades six through ten, are involved in moderate or frequent bullying, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Martial arts reinforce anti-bullying tactics that help build a childs confidence and teach them how to respond properly to any potentially harmful situations.

A lot of it is educating what a stranger is, said Kyle Freeman, owner of Freedom Martial Arts, most children are unaware that a perpetrator could also be someone they know. Theres no need for kids to be scared. We aim to teach them self confidence.

Parents were able to see the effect of one martial arts lesson on their family. Hiyah! yelped Bryson, 5, today was fun! he said smiling before his attention went back to decorating his new martial arts headband. Ruth Prothero, who frequents the monthly Empower Family Fun Nights with her four children said, I enjoy bringing my kids to these events. Its nice to meet families that I wouldnt have gotten to know without Empower.

The Empower Family Success Center, a part of the Somerville based non-profit EmPoWER Somerset, works with local businesses and organizations to provide free family activities across Somerset County. We hold monthly family fun nights so people can be introduced to our organization. Then if theres ever a time when a family faces a challenge, they know were here to help connect them to resources, said Tim Wolf, Director of the Empower Family Success Center.

Before the karate kids headed out for the evening, they left with two large scoops of Ritas Ice, kindly donated by Ritas Ice of Somerville and EA Boniakowski Insurance. Thanks to Freedom Martial Arts and the Empower Family Success Center, children walked away with a little more confidence and belief in themselves.

To learn more about the Empower Family Success Center and sign up for monthly family activities, head to http://www.empowerfsc.com or call 908-722-4400.

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Freedom Martial Arts in Bridgewater teaches children to be safe