PHILLIPSBURG, NJ – [June 8, 2026] – Action Karate Phillipsburg has officially concluded its third highly successful six-week Stronger Together series in partnership with the Joseph H. Firth Youth Center. Funded by a grant awarded to the Firth Youth Center, the program was born from a vital mission: allowing families with differently-abled children to experience extracurricular activities together.

Families with differently-abled children often find themselves divided, with parents driving in multiple directions to get siblings to entirely different, hyper-specific programs. The Stronger Together program was designed to solve this community challenge by providing a single, welcoming location where the entire family unit can arrive together, train in their respective activities simultaneously, and reconnect.

Over the course of the six weeks, Action Karate’s certified instructors led tailored, inclusive martial arts classes designed to foster physical development and confidence for the youth participants. At the same time, in the same building, siblings engaged in high-energy physical activities like relay races and kickball led by Firth Youth Center staff.

Each weekly session culminated in a community-building family dinner where parents, siblings, and participants broke bread together over a catered meal and interactive games.

“Too often, families with children who are differently-abled are forced to spend time separated from one another in order to give their children enrichment opportunities,” said Miranda Hendricks, Enrollment Director of Action Karate. “The core purpose of this program was to create a space where no one is left out and no parent has to choose which child to cheer on. We wanted families to arrive together, grow together, and break bread together under one roof. Seeing that unity on and off the mats has been incredibly powerful.”

The conclusion of this third session marks a milestone in a shared mission to provide accessible, inclusive, and logistically supportive recreational opportunities to families in the Phillipsburg area. About Action Karate: Action Karate is dedicated to growing minds and bodies through high-quality martial arts instruction. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, discipline, and personal growth, Action Karate specializes in adaptive martial arts programs that empower students of all ages and abilities to discover their inner strength and achieve their full potential.

About the Joseph H. Firth Youth Center: The Joseph H. Firth Youth Center is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization devoted to serving the youth of Phillipsburg, NJ, since 1954 through a wide variety of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities. Learn more at www.firthyouthcenter.com.
Members of the media are invited to reach out for more information or to schedule interviews with the principal parties involved.