Milton board agrees to explore partnership for monthly self-defense classes with Mighty Hands Foundation

The Milton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Jan. 15 voted to have staff continue exploring a partnership with the Mighty Hands Foundation to offer monthly self-defense classes and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instruction for community members.

Erica Williams, who identified herself as a contract instructor and veteran and a founder of the Mighty Hands Foundation, described the nonprofit's mission "to empower vulnerable people" and said classes would emphasize awareness, prevention and defensive techniques. "The Mighty Hands Foundation, we are a new nonprofit... The goal of the mighty hands foundation is to empower vulnerable people," Williams said, adding the class would be one hour long, offered monthly and would cost $40 per session; she said scholarship funds would be reused to expand programming and support mission trips and outreach.

Williams described the program as adaptable to different groups (youth teams, adults, postpartum mothers), said the foundation has access to a coaching staff and can scale instruction for small or large groups, and noted therapeutic benefits tied to jiu-jitsu training. Board members asked about minimum enrollment and site logistics; Williams said six people was an acceptable minimum and that the foundation could hold classes in a variety of locations.

On a motion to have staff continue partnership discussions with the Mighty Hands Foundation, the board voted in favor by voice vote. Staff will follow up with the foundation and return options and logistical recommendations to the board.