Transforming Futures: Voices from Our Community
Right Path to Miracles is achieving more with our initiatives than ever before, and we are very proud of the progress we continue to make. Below are some of our youth's stories. Learn more about what we do, who we help, and how we work every day to create a lasting impact.
Xiong Family
Brief Background and Challenge:
Before joining Right Path to Miracles (RPM), our son Eli was a bright and energetic child, deeply engaged with digital activities like gaming. Concerned about his physical health and limited social interactions, my husband Martin and I were on the lookout for opportunities to enrich his lifestyle. We learned about RPM through friends and family who praised it as a fantastic place for kids to engage in physical activities and build social connections. Hoping it would provide him with a healthier balance, we decided to enroll him.
Services Provided:
At RPM, Eli was welcomed into a comprehensive program that offered much more than just physical training. It included mentorship and community-building activities which piqued his interest, especially the martial arts training in Muay Thai. The coaches and staff were incredibly supportive, guiding all the children with motivation and genuine care. For Eli, this environment was transformative. The physical training in Muay Thai, coupled with strength and conditioning, helped him find a new passion, while the mentorship from experienced coaches built his confidence and leadership skills. Community activities further enhanced his social skills, providing him with a sense of belonging. Since joining RPM, we've witnessed remarkable changes in Eli. He transitioned from a child primarily focused on his digital screens to becoming an active and confident individual. Within just his second month, he was honored as the "Student of the Month" and enjoyed his role in helping newer kids integrate into the program. His first scrimmage was a learning experience, and by his second, he emerged victorious, a testament to his growing skills and confidence.
Progress and Improvements and Current Situation:
The benefits extended beyond Eli to affect our entire family. We found ourselves participating in more physical activities together, engaging more with our community, and supporting each other's growth and aspirations. Watching Eli's journey has inspired us to step out of our comfort zones and pursue our own goals with renewed vigor. Eli's current aspirations are to become a professional Muay Thai fighter and to enhance his knowledge in math, science, and physics to apply them to his training. He also aims to continue inspiring others through his journey, sharing his experiences on social media. As a family, we plan to keep supporting his passion for Muay Thai and community engagement, hopeful about the positive trajectory of his growth and the impact of Right Path to Miracles in our lives.
Vang Family
Brief Background and Challenge:
The Vang family consists of 2 boys (13 and 8), and 2 girls (11 and 5). We discovered Right Path to Miracles because our youngest son, who was much more active than other children and also had a hearing loss. We needed to find a sport that would help channel his energy, keep him active, and enhance his mind-body awareness. As parents, we were exhausted and felt there were no solutions to help him expend his
energy. We had tried outdoor sports, but he became easily distracted by nature and struggled to hear in windy conditions and over long distances. Additionally, he faced challenges in school with reading, following directions, and paying attention in class. We feared he would eventually be labeled as the “problem child.”
Services Provided:
Right Path to Miracles has offered invaluable educational support to the Vang family by providing access to a diverse selection of reading materials for our children. Additionally, they organized enriching activities, such as hosting an expert to discuss bee farming and other young farm animals. They also created opportunities for our
children to showcase their unique artwork and talents. Most importantly, they have created a safe environment where each individual can be themselves, learn to communicate effectively, and interact with peers of various ages.
These services has helped keep my children on track with their reading skills, and taught them to be respectful to one another, whether by taking turns on games or activities. Right Path to Miracle has also provided a safety net for my children to express their feelings and ensure their voices are being heard.
Progress and Improvements and Current Situation:
My children have made impressive improvements in interacting with peers of various ages, despite the challenge of wearing a hearing aid and having a hearing loss, due to the safe environment provided by Right Path to Miracles. They continue to practice on their listening skills and demonstrate respect for each other and the skills continue when they are home too. My youngest son has significantly improved on his reading skills and now prefers to do his homework at Right Path to Miracles. His listening skills has advanced tremendously, and he has learned to control his body by staying engaged with games and activities that are offered there.
We plan to continue to have our children participate in Right Path to Miracles to ensure they continue to receive the support and benefits this organization has provided to them.
Khang Family
Brief Background and Challenge:
Right Path To Miracles was introduced to me while training at a Muay Thai gym. I saw the benefits and impact it made for other parents and their kids. My sister Didi and I co-parent for her son, Julian and our little brother, Nathaniel. They were 11 when we decided it would be a great program for them. During the pandemic, distance learning was extremely difficult for the boys to focus on. My sister and I wanted the boys to also have more social skills outside of home and school. Another reason we decided to put the boys into the program was to help them stay away from talking to strangers while playing video games. Also it was a great way for us to communicate with each other and exercise together.
Services Provided:
RPM not only benefits the boys through physical training but also provides homework help, social events, youth camping, and other social skills that would help build them as team leaders. The boys were engaged with other youths their age and interacted with kids younger than them. RPM encourages the boys and other youths
to be team leaders and role models for the young ones. The staff and coaches were extremely welcoming when the boys joined. They always greet with a smile and always give positive praise. Julian and Nathaniel made new friends! Not only that, they both gained a lot of confidence.
During training, the coaches really praise and encourage all students! I feel that my communication with the boys has improved. I don’t have to take away the game box. Muay Thai through RPM really helped them be disciplined, ready, and alert. My sister and I involved ourselves in the program because of the impact it
made on the boys. We engaged in meeting and interacting with other parents and kids.
Progress and Improvements and Current Situation:
Right Path to Miracles provides a safe haven place for the boys to be at. Everyone at RPM knows each other. Right Path to Miracles welcomes all people. I really do feel safe being there and the boys enjoy it so much because they get to see their friends every day at the gym and train together. They always look forward to meeting their friends at events hosted by Right Path to Miracles. As a parent, you always want to see your child succeed. I am grateful that I was able to capture those moments. Seeing the progress from the beginning till now, I’ll say that RPM’s integrity stays true! When the program was only a few months old, the boys advanced quite fast and started training with the adults. Soon enough, the Teens Class was added due to the growing age from the Kids Class. I was amazed and my sister and I don’t regret it. They always look forward to going to the gym.
Over the years, RPM grew tremendously! We relocated to a bigger place! The little Trunk or Treat event that came from a small parking lot of maybe 20 spots expanded to an even bigger parking lot of over 100. Not only that, the haunted house was a great turnout! RPM was able to take the youths on a retreat up North. The boys
learned leadership skills and also helped coach for the Kids Class. We train and discipline together. It also helps us stay disciplined and stay grounded to achieve our own goals. We look forward to it everyday. Even for myself, I felt more confident! I can say that about my nephew and little brother as well.
What really attracted us to RPM was that everyone was always positive. They always have a smile on and they never leave anyone out. Now that they are a little older, they want to try out different sports. Julian really wants to play volleyball. Nathaniel loves all sports and cars and also hopes to compete in Muay Thai. We plan to show up every day. My sister and I want Julian and Nathaniel to be exposed to helping others like how Right Path to Miracles has helped and encouraged them to be who they are. We always talk to the boys about being good role models for the young ones. We also want to welcome anyone who could be having a bad day and it hopes that we could also make them feel good about themselves.