Diamond Kids International opens ‘Lucky Kid Contest’ for at-risk youth

Composite image using photo by Choreograph, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

SOUTHERN UTAH — Diamond Kids International LLC’s “Lucky Kid Contest” opened Saturday, offering kids a chance to win gift cards, services and activities in celebration of the newly launched company, which is focused on preventing at-risk youth from falling through the cracks.

Diamond Kids International LLC is a Utah-based company geared toward helping youth by providing programs to help them thrive | Photo courtesy of Chris Barela, St. George News

At the end of the contest, which runs from May 26 through June 15, two youth will be chosen to win one full year of Diamond Kids International services, including the “Foster Buddy” and “Life Coaching for Kids” programs.

Each winner will receive one year of free tuition for either dance or martial arts classes from a participating business.

Diamond Kids International offers services to youth age 5-17 throughout Southern Utah geared toward “mentoring and building them up, which can change the course of their lives,” Diamond Kids International CEO Christopher Barela said.

The contest is the first of its kind for the newly launched company, and this year’s focus is on selecting youth primarily from single-parent households.

“We are looking for families that may be underprivileged or those that have fallen on hard times,” Tyler Varner, admissions director for Diamond Kids International, said.

Diamond Kids International LLC is a Utah-based company geared toward helping youth by providing programs to help them thrive | Photo courtesy of Chris Barela, St. George News

Two winners will be chosen from the pool of applicants – one boy and one girl.

Winners will be announced June 22 on the Diamond Kids International Facebook page and by email.

Other prizes will be awarded at the end of the contest, including gift cards from Battle Evolution Indoor Nerf Arena and Laser Mania at the Family Fun Center, both located in St. George, as well as other gift cards and prizes.

To enter the contest, parents, grandparents or caregivers of children can go online to www.diamondkidsclub.net and fill out the application, which includes a summary of why their child or teen should win the grand prize.

Diamond Kids International’s services are geared toward helping youth, whether they are at-risk, live in single-parent households or are underprivileged.

“These kids can fall through the cracks,” Barela said, “and we want to prevent that through the various programs we offer.”

Foster Buddy

The Foster Buddy program provides an adult mentor for a child to talk to and hang out with, receive help with homework and provide positive role-modeling. The program is ideal for children of single parents, grandparents or any youth that is lacking a positive role model.

Life Coaching for Kids

Stock photo by Ulkas, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

The Life Coaching for Kids program focuses on helping kids and teens with various issues, including stress management, behavioral planning, self esteem, negative thoughts/behaviors, communication and school issues. The program is aimed at building resilience and character for kids.

“A life coach helps these kids to look to the future,” Barela said.

Martial arts

The martial arts program is designed to build strength, discipline and character.

Multiple studies, including one conducted by Bar-Ilan University and UCLA in 2016, show that martial arts training appears to be effective in reducing aggressive behavior and externalizing behaviors, such as acting out or disruptive conduct, particularly in youth.

Some researchers believe that a martial arts program can also improve cognitive and psychological factors.

Diamond Kids International operates on the philosophy that “building strong kids begins by teaching them honor, integrity, discipline and respect through a structured mentoring experience,” Varner said.

“Given the right tools and resources,” he said, “these kids can push for and achieve their goals and dreams.”

For more information, go to the Diamond Kids International website. The contest website and entry form can be found at www.diamondkidsclub.net.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.