About Us
Who Are We?
We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on helping Omaha and metro area youth develop critical life skills and build a foundation for a positive transition to adulthood.
Our Goal
The goal of MAMA Reporting Services is to make long term changes in our communities by providing juveniles an environment of positive influence to become productive, contributing members of society. Our program offers additional hours of positive adult contact and supervision emphasizing development of life skills and not afforded opportunity to make poor decisions or be surrounded by people who do.
How We Do This?
Change the environment and you can change the child. We use our powerfully positive martial arts community to immerse area youth in a structured and discipline environment surrounded by positive peers and inspiring mentors. Martial Arts are a proven medium to provide purposeful intervention and constructive impact on our youth.
Why Martial Arts?
FACT: Youth do not resist change, they resist being changed
The MAMA program harbors mutual support, motivation and drive that naturally promotes a willingness to change for the better. Peer coercion is replaced with peer concern; antagonism and intimidation have do not exist in what is a helpful, positive culture. Peers and teammates have an obligation to help not hold back. The norm of adult absence and neglect is replaced with positive and supportive experiences.
FACT: The longer a student trains in martial arts, the less aggressive he/she becomes.
A paradox that most martial arts instructors know first-hand is the longer a student trains in martial arts, the less aggressive and deviant he or she becomes. This was the conclusion of a landmark study from Canada in the early 1980’s and has been supported ever since. Martial arts decrease such behavior because it builds a student’s self-control, self-assertiveness, self-esteem and self-confidence. These positive traits reduce violence and aggression. A follow on cross-sectional study found an inverse relationship between rank and aggression in students participating in the martial arts; suggesting a decrease in aggression can be attributed to training, not attrition. Supporting studies indicate martial arts practice reduce Type A patterns characterized by: hyper-alert, aggressive, explosive speech mannerisms, and hostile emotions. A threefold study further showed a decrease in aggressiveness and anxiety and an increase in self-esteem in youth identified as juvenile delinquents after just 6 months of martial arts training.
FACT: The benefits of martial arts go above and beyond traditional sports
There is no argument that traditional sports and team activities have a tremendous positive effect on youth. While martial arts have much in common with other sports (physical activity, physical fitness, skills acquisition, and social interaction) separation begins with emphasis on self-knowledge, self-awareness, self-improvement, and self-control. The involvement of philosophical and ethical teachings, ceremony and ritual, integration of mind and body, and meditative components provide additional avenues for individual growth and development.
FACT: Martial Arts have proven therapeutic for children with various disabilities
Numerous studies support the practice of martial arts as being beneficial for individuals with physical and psychological disabilities and ailments. In particular, youth diagnosed with ADHD, ADD have shown increased attention span, decreased distraction, development of motor and behavioral control, improved self-esteem, and an ability build positive peer relationships. Research also confirms more involvement, not less, in structured programs have a psychotherapeutic effect in helping children overcome personal struggles such as anger management, stress, depression, and self-expression. The dojo (training hall) becomes a safe haven detached from the daily world; it is an opportunity to focus on the individual, working through personal issues with others doing the same.
FACT: Martial Arts have shown therapeutically beneficial for those with traumatic experience
Several studies have found that women recovering from psycho-sexual abuse, eating disorders, substance abuse and growing up in dysfunctional families reported that martial arts training was helpful in their recovery with many cases achieving quicker results than verbal therapy alone.
Board of Advisors
Aaron Cerrone - Director
Aaron is a 28 year military veteran who held a faculty position at the University of Nebraska at Omaha teaching in the College of Business Administration for 10 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma . As owner and head coach at Mid-America Martial Arts, Aaron has worked with and coached youth of all ages for over 20 years.
Matt Allen
Matt brings career experience working with at-risk area youth. His first-hand knowledge of the Nebraska Juvenile Probation Department and the Juvenile Court system affords invaluable and contextual insight for this program as well as helping youth and their families effectively navigate the system.
Katrina Bishop
Katrina is an experienced and certified Hypnotherapist, Neuro-Linguistic Programmer, and Life Coach who is driven by helping others overcome obstacles and succeed in every facet of their lives. She has worked extensively helping individuals overcome addiction, depression, and anxiety. Katrina knows that suffering is difficult, and she has made it her mission to help others so they can start leading the life they want for themselves.