Special Needs Karate

Having taught Special Education for 10 years Mrs. Maureen Graven-Eells has found a natural niche in starting a Special Needs Karate Program in Evesham Township in the Fall of 1995.  He program has over 30 tudents and they hold annual tournaments for the children to showcase their karate talents.  Classes are for adults and children ages 9 and older with dissabities.  The group meets once a week at the "Blue Barn" Recreation Building in Marlton , NJ.  

Class times are 6-7 pm and 7-8pm.  

 Interested persons may contact 856-985-9372 and ask for Pat Haines.  

Cost for the program is $20 for 8 weeks.  

You may email Maureen at Eellsfam@comcast.net

Mission Statement

Special Needs Karate is a karate program designed to meet the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of it's participants.  Our instructors, through karate, help to instill in our students improved balance and coordination, stamina, strength, breathing techniques, focus and attention, self control, self esteem and social skills.   We believe in each students own expression of karate given his/her limitations yet we encourage each participant to expand his/her own expectations.  We do this by setting standards of excellance and by applauding each step toward physical and personal improvement.  We take our standards from Shotokan Karate's Dojo Kun- or Guiding principles.  

Seek Perfection of Character- "Be the best you can be"

Be Faithful - " Stuck to your goals"

Endeavor - "Try Hard" Respect Others -

"Ditto" Refrain from Violent Behavior - "Karate students are not mean or violent"  

Instructors for Special Needs Karate

Mrs. Maureen Graven-Eells

Maureen grew up in Philadelphia and moved to New Jersey in Septemeber of 1986.  Her husband Chuck asked her to travel back to Phila.  To take karate lessons 3-4 times per week.  Since she decided that was better than the alternative of sitting home by herself she agreed to join him.  Soon after she fell in love with the Martial arts.  Although she studied for a BA in Special Education at LaSalle University, she found every opportunity to take her fill of Eastern religion and philosophy classes. Karate was the physical and mental activity she was searching for.  Her training began under Sensei Ron Romano and soon after he began his association with Sensei Sal Lopresti and Sensei Steve Montgomery.  Maureen passed her Shodan exam in November of 1989.  She was awarded Nidan in June of 1991.  While she was 6 weeks pregnant with her fourth child she teasted and passed her Sandan exam.  She received her Yondan on May 31st 2002.  Aside from being a "Soccer Mom" Maureen is also a fitness instructor and the Group Fitness Director at the Cherry Hill Aquatic and Fitness Center.  

Mrs. Pam Sodaski

Pam is a 2nd degree black belt who also runs a highly successful local restaurant.  She has been with the program since it's inception and has been instrumental in the fundraising aspect of the program.

Salvatore Lopresti

Sensei Lopresti acts as chief advisor to the program and has the distinction of being the karate instructor for the Instructor staff. He has been the chief examiner for all of the Special Needs karate tests and has helped to establish a second Special Needs Karate Program.