Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute's new program and schedule is listed below. The program begins on September 3. There are three options ranging from $65 to $150 per month. Please take a look at the options. As always, we try to keep tuition costs low while giving the students everything they need to excel at home, at school, and in the community.

• All children may participate in the weekly Saturday 3:00-5:00p art classes.
• All children may participate in Sat 1:00-3:00p Kung Fu Theatre, on first Saturday of the month.

A recent article in the Washington Post describes the widening income disparities between residents of Washington, DC. Much of it is driven by new development and the so called "robust economy." What does this mean for small non-profits that teach art and culture providing services and programs not being offered in DCPS? If we look around the U street corridor where the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute exists development has driven prices for houses, condo's and rental spaces to new heights. What lies ahead for organizations that provide after school arts enrichment programs for inner city Washington, DC youth? Will everything be provided through DC government recreation centers? Many rec center directors are having difficulty finding qualified instructors for programs requested by the youth dropping-in and then unfortunately quickly dropping-out because of the lack of supervised programs of their liking. Nearby new developments (U St. corridor) have not provided space for community non-profits or arts organizations in their buildings. So what is the future of arts organizations in Washington, DC when floor space is moving towards $70 per square foot? Does it matter that many arts organizations are moving out of the city or just closing shop altogether? Soon most DC residents will be able to go just a few feet from their doorstep to buy a morning latte, make copies, visit a law firm or architects office, buy a $6 ice cream cone, and look for miles between the new multi-storied buildings and not find a single place devoted to teaching and training our young residents in art and culture. Welcome to Sin City.

TESTIMONY D.C. Youth Development Strategy, Implementation Plan Presented to Special Committee on the Prevention of Youth Violent Crime Chairman Vincent C. Gray
Presented by: Abdur-Rahim Muhammad Founder and President Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute November 17, 2006 Good Morning Chairman Gray, My name is Abdur-Rahim Muhammad. I am a fourth generation Washingtonian and the Founder and President of the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute, a 501(C) (3) nonprofit located on U Street, NW and focusing on the youth of our city. I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak this morning regarding the District's Youth Development Strategy Implementation Plan.

The Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development organization focusing on the youth of Washington, DC. By participating in the Leadership Institute's programs and attending the Institute's classes, students develop life-enhancing skills along with positive values, a sense of purpose and direction, and a commitment to progressive community development. Confidence and skills developed through our programs, equip students to set goals and enable them to reach those goals, while overcoming life's inevitable challenges. The Institute's training program develops physical strength, a strong will, a quickened mind, and an ethical and moral base from which to evaluate one's own actions and those of others. Students learn self-reliance, personal responsibility, to strive for excellence, and to become successful adults and leaders in their chosen fields. Training at the HTCMLI is preparation for living a meaningful life.

Jeff E. Welch
in Hong KongAs I sit here and try to think about how to describe my trip to Hong Kong, China and Malaysia, I think about how it all came about. It was a little over two years ago when I walked into the Hung Tao Choy Mei Academy. Sifu was eating a bowl of vegetable soup. He looked up and asked incredulously, "How did you get in here?" We talked for about 30 minutes, and I made up my mind that this was the school for me.

Kung Fu means "great skill achieved through hard work." You can achieve Kung Fu in anything if you diligently practice for years. Our martial arts philosophy emphasizes this effort and determination more than natural talent. Student progress is based on individual improvement, not just the achievement of a particular abstract high standard. Instructors teach control as a basic core value of the art. We show students how to become self-aware of their mind and body, and to own the responsibility for correcting their thoughts and actions. Regular feedback is given on achievements and areas for improvement, to ensure each student is actively participating in their growth process, and to reinforce that they should be proud of their specific accomplishments.

U Street EntranceThe Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute engages in fundraising activities to finance its programs. We seek corporate contributions and sponsorship. We are a member of the DC Chamber of Commerce. We provide demonstrations of our student's martial arts abilities within the community for honorariums and donations. Your contributions enable us to reach out and make a difference. Please consider supporting the Leadership Institute.