The Guardian Story

original BOARD MEMBER BRIAN STANN , C0-Founders Joel Lunenfeld and Ben Kovacs

"If our youth cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way our youth can learn."

Guardian is a 501(c)3 non-profit combat gym in downtown Oakland offering classes in boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiujitsu, mixed martial arts, yoga, and strength and conditioning. The facility is free for youth aged 10 – 18, and offers tax-deductible memberships for adults.

Our gym was founded on the belief that almost everyone wants to be a part of a tribe.

This is most obvious – and its healthy fulfillment most critical - with kids and young adolescents. Between the obligations of school and family, children have limited opportunities to insert themselves into a passion of their own choosing.

We believe that it is critical for the children in our community to find a healthy, progressive tribe that helps them to become better students and family members. If they don't, they will find something else entirely.

The founders and instructors at Guardian can all testify to the incredible benefits that training and competing have brought to their lives. While on the mats, we have made friends, found jobs, cultivated discipline and coped with life’s hardships. When we first opened the doors of the gym in January, 2016, we did so with the idea of giving back to the community of Oakland via our passion for martial arts.

In a short time, we’ve built a thriving team of men and women of all ages and experience levels, from total newbies to world champions. We are all, simultaneously, improving both ourselves and our community, and we’d love for you to join us at Guardian in the capacity of your choosing!

Our Mission

Guardian provides students with skills that help them build self esteem, confidence and discipline. We aim to propel young lives and prepare them for the future by providing a world-class environment to connect with mentors, peers, and community leaders. Our space offers:

A safe environment for getting kids off the streets or out of the house
An opportunity to connect with a mentor
A productive atmosphere for finishing school homework and engaging in creative passions
A chance to connect with a network of peers that are trying to grow and excel