Who We Are
The Fountain Youth Ministries, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization (Tax ID 311671894), was established in 1999 to help at-risk youth. In 2009, Fountain Youth Ministries opened the 6th Street Gym. The gym is known as a safe environment where kids would go to learn the discipline of sports, while at the same time learning some of life’s lessons through the celebrated moments that sports provide.
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense continues the legacy of the 6th Street gym by supporting the mission of Fountain Youth Ministries.
Instructors, mentors and volunteers (referred to from this point collectively as “staff”) model behavior that shows acceptance and respect of diversity and difference. Staff guide youth and adults in developing leadership skills, self confidence, positive coping skills, and persistence in setting and meeting goals with patience and self-awareness through the mediums of martial arts, self defense, and yoga.
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix does martial arts differently. We are a therapeutic martial arts gym that provides martial arts education to adults and youth in need of support. Our goal is to provide life skills that assist people in reaching their goals through individual and group martial arts instruction and mentorship.
What We Do
Our focus is on providing support to youth who have experienced or may experience bullying or other forms of abuse or violence, who are at risk of death by suicide, who experience low self-esteem or low confidence, and who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
We are about helping kids. We help them focus their lives on success and channel their energy through the discipline and confidence that comes from learning self-defense through Krav Maga. Depending on the needs and interests of our students, we also provide instruction in various disciplines including Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Judo, and even Yoga.
We work with youth of all genders and teach them to respect each other and themselves. We are there for them after school, on the weekends, during the summer, or when life takes them off track. We work with everyone, but we pay special attention to at risk kids who may not have the same support system, or may encounter more challenges than others.
We endeavor to work with families and schools to keep youth focused and empowered on and off the mats so kids gain the mental and emotional resources to stay in school.
Our focus on safety
We strongly believe that our students can only be truly open to growth if they feel safe and supported. Staff model and guide our students towards respectful behavior including not allowing bullying or language that is harmful to people based on race, sex, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or appearance. More than one adult is always present during youth mentoring, classes, and other events (this may include staff, caregivers or other approved adults). For youth that may experience crisis situations, an individualized crisis plan can be created with the youth’s input. Trauma aware instruction is available to ensure that survivors of abuse and violence are able to benefit. We believe that your body is your own, and help guide the practice of asking for consent and checking in with training partners.
Referral process
In order to refer yourself or your child to the program, please contact Jesse James Tucker at (520) 383-1592, via email at self-defensetucsonjjt@outlook.com, or CLICK HERE
How You Can Help
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Therapeutic Martial Arts is funded entirely through donations from individuals and other parties. We are a 501(c)(3) organization. We also gratefully accept donations of your time, equipment, and space for holding classes. If you would like to make any type of donation, please contact Jesse James Tucker at (520) 383-1592 or via email at self-defensetucsonjjt@outlook.com, or click here to make an online donation.
You can also help by sharing our mission with others.