Free Self-Defense Class in Jackson Supports Our Comfort Bear Program

To everyone who joined us for our free women’s self-defense class on August 29: thank you! I’m grateful you made time to come, learn, and be part of this day with us.

We teamed up with Legacy Evolution Martial Arts in Jackson, Tennessee, to offer women and girls a place to learn and build confidence. At their studio on Airways Boulevard, participants practiced basic blocks, de-escalation, and ways to escape physical grips. Trying something new can feel intimidating, so we wanted getting started to be as easy as possible.

A chance to learn and connect

We wanted to make it easy for women and girls in our community to give self-defense a try. The class was free, open to ages 15 and older, and didn’t require any special clothing or equipment.

We also invited participants to bring a teddy bear if they had one to give. To everyone who contributed to our Comfort Bear Program, thank you for thinking of the children those bears will reach.

It started with listening

This class began with women in our community asking where they could learn self-defense. Some were looking for themselves, and others were thinking about their daughters. I shared that with WBBJ during their visit:

“A lot of women were asking where they could go for self-defense classes for themselves or for their daughters.”

Desiree Kingston, speaking with WBBJ

Those conversations led us to ask Legacy Evolution Martial Arts about hosting a free class. To their team: thank you for opening your doors and sharing your skills with our community. We appreciate you helping us turn those requests into an opportunity people could actually take part in.

A small bear, given with love

Our Comfort Bear Program helps local first responders offer a teddy bear to children facing frightening or traumatic situations. A bear can’t fix what a child is going through, but our hope is that having something soft to hold brings a little comfort in a difficult moment.

If you brought a bear, thank you for thinking of those children. And to everyone who joined the class, thank you for being part of it. I’m grateful to live and work in a community where people are willing to share what they can—whether that’s their time, their knowledge, or a little kindness.

We’d love to hear from you

If you’d like to help with the Comfort Bear Program, volunteer, or talk through an idea for a community event, reach out to us. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting a conversation. You can also keep an eye on our events page for what’s coming next.

Watch WBBJ’s video and read the original coverage. Thank you to LeeAnne Morefield and WBBJ for covering the event. All event photos, including the featured image, are credited to LeeAnne Morefield / WBBJ.

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