About
KickStart Self-Defense is a grassroots NPO founded to teach personal safety skills to anyone who might find themselves in an unsafe situation. KickStart has found our niche in providing free classes to partnering high schools with off-site PE programs. We are passionate about joining forces with other non-profits that serve youth at higher risk for assault. KickStart welcomes all ages 11 and up to monthly open trainings as we strive to build a safer community. We believe that by increasing risk awareness, empowering people to set boundaries, and teaching physical resistance skills in a trauma informed environment, we will make our community safer. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Our Story
As the Rocky cross-country girls’ team trained on a summer morning in 2022, they were accosted by an aggressive man. The girls attempts to de-escalate and run away weren't enough. The man followed them, shouting obscenities, and eventually blocked the trail with his bike. Our female coach bravely intervened, pushed him away, and told him to leave them alone. Thankfully everyone escaped unharmed. Needless to say, it was frightening for our girls, coaches, and parents.
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I reached out to Rebekkah Beck of Beck’s Martial Arts, the taekwondo school where my daughter earned her black belt. Upon hearing what happened, Bekki was quick to offer a free self-defense training to our girls’ team. It was an amazing hour in a safe space; our girls learned hands-on skills to protect themselves and to escape dangerous situations. Bekki brought a wealth of knowledge, sensitivity, ample encouragement, and even a spirit of fun to a very heavy topic. It was an absolute light bulb moment for me. As a middle-aged woman, I had never been exposed to these crucial self-defense skills.
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As I thanked Bekki after the training, I wondered aloud, “Why isn’t self-defense training more accessible to young people?" Our schools do an excellent job of creating awareness around the risk of sexual assault, consent, and resources in the unfortunate incidence of sexual violence. But what if someone approaches aggressively and physically attacks us? What if we are in a choke hold or pinned on the ground? There is a gap between awareness and fear, and tools and empowerment.
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Months passed, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that with an organized effort, we could make a difference in the safety of our Northern Colorado community. I reached out again to the Becks to see if they would partner as head instructors of self-defense training. Their response was enthusiastic, and KickStart Self-Defense was launched!
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As with anything worth doing, KickStart has been a journey. But seeing a student light up as they are successful escaping a wrist grab, or hearing genuine gratitude expressed at the end of a training make the challenges well worth it. We look forward to what lies ahead as we continue to grow and to serve our youth, and we welcome you to join us in creating a safer, more empowered community in Northern Colorado.
Kirstin Kaines
Executive Director
Vision
KickStart's vision is to reach all of our local high schools with free self-defense training through off-site PE classes, teams, and clubs. KickStart seeks to deliver high quality, trauma-informed personal safety training and to be recognized as a resource for self-defense training in Northern Colorado. We hope to offer these critical skills to CSU and Front Range students as they enter a more independent and higher risk phase of life. KickStart will continue to build mutually beneficial partnerships in our Northern Colorado community, with other non-profits serving youth, with corporate and community funders, and other organizations seeking our programming. KickStart Self-Defense will show resilience and adaptability to the challenges ahead, just as we encourage our students to be creative and resourceful in the face of dangerous situations.
