CAN-DO x Fighting Chance Empower LA Youth through free MMA Fitness & Mentorship Program

Los Angeles, CA - CAN-DO.ORG, a disaster relief and community revitalization non-profit organization, is proud to share the success of a groundbreaking partnership with Fighting Chance which was founded by professional MMA Fighter Chase Gibson. Together, they launched a new MMA gym and community center in Los Angeles, that provides free and low-cost MMA fitness classes and mentorship opportunities to former foster youth, people in recovery and other disadvantaged individuals in the community.

Mentally and Physically Empowering the Future

MMA fitness programs extend beyond physical training; they build discipline, self-confidence, and resilience in participants. Through this initiative, individuals not only improve their physical well-being but also acquire crucial life skills. . The mentorship component is a cornerstone of the program, offering much-needed guidance and support to former foster youth and underserved communities.

Research shows that mentorship combined with MMA training can significantly boost mental and emotional well-being, enhancing self-esteem, reducing negative behaviors, and helping participants set and achieve personal goals.

“As soon as we opened our doors, we packed this place. It’s incredible to see just the transformation of the participants,” said Eric Klein, Founder and CEO of CAN-DO.ORG. “This space and the Fighting Chance program give the students a sense of purpose and a sense of community.”

The partnership between CAN-DO.ORG and Fighting Chance harnesses the discipline of mixed martial arts to offer underprivileged individuals opportunities for personal growth and community engagement. By creating a supportive and empowering environment, the initiative aims to help participants build better futures for themselves and their communities.

Addressing a Critical Need

The demand for programs like this in Los Angeles is clear.  Despite tax-payer resources often allocated to benefit disadvantaged citizens, there are actually very few free or low-cost classes available throughout LA County that focus on fitness, foundational skills, stress relief, and self-discipline. The lack of resources and programs for youth recently aged out of the foster system, young adults in recovery, and other disadvantaged groups is even greater.

“This is not just fighting. This is martial arts. It’s a discipline and it tends to weed out people who are bullies," said Chase Gibson, professional MMA fighter and founder of Fighting Chance. "You learn how to control your emotions through the sport, and it forces you to grow. It's something that has helped me tremendously and we wanted to do that for other people.”  

CAN-DO.ORG look the lead by overhauling the space from the ground up and providing the necessary infrastructure, equipment to create the MMA gym and community center to run the Fighting Chance program. CAN-DO.ORG’s dedication to improving the lives of youth in Los Angeles and empowering local leaders to make the biggest impact possible, reflects the organization's core values and sustainable change.

“It’s been amazing to see the dream come to reality and working together with CAN-DO; it’s the only way it’s been able to get done," said Gibson.

This is the second community and MMA fitness center that CAN-DO.ORG has launched in the past five years.  Bringing two decades of experience serving as a “spark plug” within communities – CAN-DO.ORG empowers local leaders in underserved areas, like professional MMA fighter Chase Gibson, and provides the space and tools needed to make a lasting impact.

Gibson is deeply committed to providing mentorship and coaching programs and opportunities individuals facing challenges similar to those he experienced as a teenager in the Los Angeles foster system. Gibson's personal journey, rising from adversity to success, serves as a powerful example for the youth involved in the program. 

A Call to Action: Support this Critical Community Program and the Launch of New Centers

The CAN-DO.ORG and Fighting Chance partnership is poised to make a lasting impact on Los Angeles youth. To ensure the continued success of this vital community initiative, we call on generous individuals, corporate sponsors, and philanthropists to offer their support through donations. 

Donations to CAN-DO.ORG are different than other non-profits.  Through meticulous accountability measures, CAN-DO.ORG upholds the trust of our donors and beneficiaries, ensuring all resources are utilized effectively and ethically.  One hundred percent of contributions going directly to support CAN-DO projects, not on overhead or salaries. 

"Too many nonprofits talk about their impact, without showing the results," says Klein. "With CAN-DO, every dollar goes directly into our programs; no one is getting rich, no funds are wasted. We show our donors' concept to completion and will continue to show the impact of their generosity."   

Serving as a “spark plug” within communities and bringing two decades of experience as a 501(c)(3), CAN-DO.ORG will continue to empower local leaders in underserved areas and provides the space and tools needed to make a lasting impact.

With the powerful proof of concept and success of this current community center, CAN-DO.ORG’s goal is to generate more funding which will enable them to launch additional programs and community centers across the county.