Bully Buster Workshop & Citizen's Arrest Demonstration

OC Guardian Angels partner with Bully Buster OC, Zen Dojos, California Krav Maga, and Divas in Defense

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  3-23-2012

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA.  Lani Martins and  Dave Eagle, having agreed to launch an Orange County chapter of the famous crime-deterrent group The Guardian Angles, has partnered with four local organizations Zen Dojos Martial Arts Academy, Bully Buster OC, California Krav Maga, and Divas in Defense, giving the group a jump start to making a difference in San Juan Capistrano and surrounding areas.  With this new local business support,  the San Juan Capistrano Guardian Angels will be sponsoring their first free Bully Buster Workshop for kids (10am) and their first public training for adult volunteers (12pm) on Saturday April 21st at Zen Dojos Martial Arts facility.  Owner of Zen Dojos, Paul Benavidez, who has been teaching and serving the San Juan Capistrano community since 1991, has agreed to support the Guardian Angels by donating his martial arts studio for their training and seminars.  “As a SJC resident and local business owner, I strive to support the strengthening of our community,” says Paul, “Whether its fund-raising for local schools, offering Free Anti Bullying workshops, or teaching self-defense seminars, I see the need to be proactive in the community.”

In a recent meeting between Ryan Foland (of Bully Buster OC), Lani Martins (OC chapter leader), Peter Steeves, (Guardian Angel head trainer and chapter leader for LA), and David Eagle (trainer and chapter leader of the Inland Empire), all parties agreed that there was great opportunity in leveraging the existing Free Bully Buster Workshops currently offered at Zen Dojos. When asked about the collaboration Lani commented, “When Ryan called me and shared that he already had a successful anti-bullying program in San Juan Capistrano, I was really excited and we are happy to be supporting and sponsoring his Bully Buster OC Workshops as part of our youth outreach here in town.”

After the Bully Buster Workshop, Peter Steeves of the Los Angeles The Guardian Angels will be teaching volunteers a hands-on Citizens Arrest Workshop at 12 noon. In the aftermath of the Florida Neighborhood Watch tragedy, the workshop will focus on safe and smart ways to reduce crime, including safe and smart ways to make Citizen’s Arrests.  Anyone interested is welcome and encouraged to attend the Saturday April 21st Workshop, there is no cost to participate.

The Guardian Angels are made up of volunteers, who unselfishly give up their time to safeguard neighborhoods and schools, and to support these members of our community, Paul Benavidez has offered free California Krav Maga training every Saturday at 8:30am for Guardian Angel Volunteers. “I see what they are doing in the community as being in line with our mission” said Paul, “teaching people self-confidence through the empowerment of learning self-defense and helping to contribute to a safer community, and I am happy to allow them free training in our existing classes.

Another focus for the Guardian Angels in San Juan Capistrano is to promote safety through women’s Self Defense Workshops, and it just so happens that Paul Benavidez is the only Certified Instructor for Divas in Defense, which is a training system that was developed to empower women of all ages with the training and tools imperative to their personal safety and the safety of their families, and this is what makes it such a great match with what Lani is trying to do.

Working with this Divas in Defense to promote and provide women’s self-defense workshops, the Guardian Angels believe that they can help women gain the knowledge to protect and arm themselves while gaining confidence to be Fierce & Fabulous!

Kicking off their newly established chapter in San Juan Capistrano, the Guardian Angels are participating in this year’s Swallows Day Parade, sponsored by their new partners.  In addition to providing self-defense classes, sponsoring Bully Buster workshops and promoting personal safety education, Lani hopes to raise general awareness of the OC Guardian Angels as a Non-Profit Organization, and all that they have contributed to promoting safer communities.  Having been in existence since 1978 and now with 138 chapters in 18 countries, the Guardian Angels have received over 100 awards and recognitions, including the Presidential Accolades, the President’s Service Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Awards.

Come out to support their first sponsored event on April 21st at Zen Dojos Martial Arts Academy.  The Workshops will start at 10am and parents are welcome to join the class with their children, to reinforce the importance and involvement of the whole family in safety education. We encourage community members to show support by coming to watch the Workshop even if they don’t plan to participate, as there are many other ways to get involved and help this new forming chapter.  If you know of any individuals or groups that may be interested in supporting promotion of these events, helping out, getting involved, or contributing financially to the organization, please contact Lani at 949-328-4220 or Dave  951-595-6556 for more information.