New Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program Strives to Empower Nh Youth with Disabilities, Special Needs


credit: greenbiz

A New Hampshire police department is offering free Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes this summer to kids with autism and Down syndrome, the Union Leader reports.

Detective David Lisboa, originally from Brazil, works in the domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit at the Manchester Police Department, but he's also had experience working with people with high-functioning autism.

A similar program in Rio de Janeiro inspired him to open one in New Hampshire.

He says there are very few programs like this in New England.

Lisboa says jiu-jitsu is known for its focus on technique and leverage rather than physical strength, which is beneficial for people in wheelchairs, too.

He says the moment people with disabilities step onto the mat, they experience a transformation.

"It is amazing the impact it has on their personality and just on their overall behavior," he says.

"The curriculum will consider each person's unique needs, abilities, and will advance at the participant's pace.

The program also aims to create a family support system and provide a meeting space to create friendships.

To ensure the program reaches those who can benefit most, he is spreading the word in the Manchester School District and on Instagram, but he hopes people from all towns sign up.

Read the Entire Article


Selected Grant News Headlines

A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.

Rediscovering The Pella Community Art Center

If you've ever dreamed of owning your own business, you'll want to check out Pella, Iowa. The city is home to the Pella Art Center, which bills itself as "a valuable resource for all participants...more

Invest in Climate-Smart Agriculture to Combat Malnutrition in Uganda

The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Bunyoro region are among the world's most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially when it comes to food security and nutrition, the...more

Thomas Anderson to Receive 2024 Award in Philanthropy

"Countless lives have been touched by Tom and the lakes area communities are a better place because of his generous nature, and we are honored to have him as the recipient of the 2024 Award in...more

Haiti Humanitarian Crisis

"Haiti is seeing growing rates of hunger and malnutrition amid an unprecedented descent into violence and growing insecurity." That's the UN's latest report on the country, which has been rocked...more

Mackenzie Scott Is Radically Reshaping Philanthropy

MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated more than $2 billion to groups working on everything from climate change and affordable housing to early learning and women's...more

Carnegie Hall Creative Youth Art Exhibit Winners Announced

A West Virginia teenager has won the top prize in her high school's annual art competition. Abigail Fedukovich of Lewisburg took the top prize in the drawing division at the Creative Youth art...more

In Dallas, 'Yellow' Installation by Dsgn For Us Gives People a Place to Draw, Be Happy

"A lot has been said about coloring, it helps with stress and depression, [mental health] is a huge component of it," Natalia Padilla tells the Dallas Morning News. That's why the founder of Dsgn...more

Foundation Offers Grants To Serve Lgbtq Communities
Foundation: Rhode Island Foundation

The Rhode Island Foundation is offering up to $10,000 in grants to organizations that help the state's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, the Providence Journal reports. The...more

Proampac and Sammi Join Forces for Sustainable Fiber-Based Packaging Innovation

The days of the plastic clam shell are over. A company called Sammi has replaced the shell on its sandwiches with fiber-based packaging made from forest products, and the result is what ProAmpac...more

President Office €” Press Release

"These new Floridians are not bringing their health care providers with them," Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said as she signed into law a "Live Healthy" agenda aimed at increasing the...more





Here are the star companies that have succeeded in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. The companies were gathered by Civic 50, a national initiative to survey and rank S&P 500 corporations on how they engage with the communities they serve and utilize best practices in their corporate cultures.




Human Services Jobs in New Hampshire

  Education Jobs
  Substance Abuse Jobs
  Executive Director Jobs
  Education Jobs
  Fundraising & Development Jobs


Federal Government Grant and Assistance Programs


Homeland Security Outreach, Education, and Technical Assistance | Development and Coordination of Rural Health Services | School Dropout Prevention Program | Alcohol Traffic Safety and Drunk Driving Prevention Incentive Grants | Disaster Legal Services | Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program | Attorney Fees_Indian Rights | Rail Line Relocation and Improvement | | Site Style by YAML | Grants.gov | Grants | Grants News | Sitemap | Privacy Policy

Edited by: Michael Saunders

© 2008-2024 Copyright Michael Saunders