On a bright Saturday afternoon, Bronx women gathered at the Caldwell Temple to learn how to defend themselves from potential dangers. Leading the self-defense course were Master CJ Rivera and his daughter, Sempai Katie Rivera.
Master Rivera, a seasoned martial artist with decades of training, is now working on starting his own dojo. He is also an officer with the City Department of Homeless Services Police. His daughter, Katie, who is graduating from middle school this year, assists him in building their brand through a collaboration with Devil Dog USA Incorporated.
The class began with Rivera sharing his martial arts journey and how incorporating his daughter into his practice has strengthened their bond. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and awareness of one’s surroundings, noting that excessive phone use can be problematic. Rivera then provided step-by-step instructions on self-defense techniques to use while standing and on the ground. Both Rivera and Katie demonstrated the movements and practiced one-on-one with each student.
The women in attendance shared their personal stories, explaining why they joined the class and how they felt about the experience. Rivera offered advice on preventing altercations and safety methods for the best possible outcomes. A highlight of the event was Katie’s role as an instructor, showcasing her as an excellent role model for other young people.
Marisol, one of the participants, remarked on the importance of women learning how to defend themselves: “I think this is a great platform for us (women) to learn how to defend ourselves from individuals or unexpected attacks. I think Master Rivera is doing an awesome job by teaching us different techniques that we can implement during an attack. Doing more of these can help women in our community protect ourselves in any dangerous situation we might encounter.”
Gonzalo Duran, Chief Executive Officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, oversaw the event. “I met CJ over a year ago,” Duran said. “He told me he wanted to start his dojo and asked if I could help. Within a few weeks, I wrote a grant for the program, and within a few months, we started the first class. We have conducted classes for the general public and youth, and we are currently focused on women. We also plan to start classes for the LGBTQ+ community and senior citizens.”
Duran mentioned that they have enough funds to cover the programs through the end of the year and have dates lined up, but they need larger venues. “Our office can handle eight to ten participants for this type of event. We need the public to reach out to us and host us. Donations for mats, water, and to help keep the program going into the upcoming year are always welcome,” he added.
The event concluded with Duran acknowledging the hard work of the instructors and their collaborators, Caldwell Enrichment Programs Incorporated, and their host, the Caldwell Temple.
For those who would like to help, please feel free to reach out to Gonzalo Duran at (516) 515-0240 or [email protected].
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