Free Force, one of York’s self-defense clubs, is now working alongside Big Brothers and Big Sisters to teach youth in the wider community how to defend themselves.
The club, which regularly hosts self-defense seminars at the Tait McKenzie Centre, looks to teach the York community how to “defend themselves from predators, muggers, and how to escape from unavoidable situations,” as well as to serve as a community of its own, according to its constitution.
Andrew Oh, the third-year psychology major who serves as the club’s president, hopes Free Force can make a difference for not just students, but also youth associated with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
“To be able to host and teach with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization is outstanding,” says Oh. “We are able to reach out to even more people than just students at York.”
Their first seminar with Big Brothers and Big Sisters already happened earlier in January, and they are looking to complete their second this February.
“We teach very practical, hands-on techniques that can get people out of unfavorable situations,” says Oh. “It’s very safe and it’s all supervised.”
Oh started the club two years ago, having been unsatisfied with the self-defense clubs on campus. He wanted to not only provide practical movements that anyone could learn, but also a club service that is free to the community.
Igor Vilkhov, instructor for Free Force, says the first workshop went extremely well.
“These are kids from high school, and they are searching for things they might be interested in. Free Force gives a glimpse of what self-defense is all about,” says Vilkhov.
As a York graduate, Vilkhov says he knows what it is like for students who have to travel the campus late at night.
“The idea was to give people a little security, while making it fun by learning real-life self-defense applications,” says Vilkhov.
Michael Burton
Executive Editor (Online)
