501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Building Resilience in Youth · Atlanta-based

Build Strong Kids.
Strengthen Communities.

PowerUP uses martial arts to help youth develop self-regulation, resilience, and confidence — creating better long-term outcomes for children across Metro Atlanta.

Support the Next Generation See Our Impact →

Students Served

90%

Show Improvement in ~4 Weeks

Hours of Mentorship Provided

2017

Serving Since

Austin Scee and Mike Gandy Auzenne at Harvard Business School

Since 1997

Our Story

Paying It Forward

Austin Scee was matched with Mike Gandy in 1997 through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta. Mike went from the projects of Atlanta to Colgate, Wall Street, and Harvard Business School — following in Austin's footsteps fifteen years later.

In January 2017, Austin took his son to a local karate camp and watched Sensei Trey sit on the mat and spend 30 minutes teaching core values before any physical instruction. Eureka. Martial arts senseis can mentor 50+ kids at a time. PowerUP was born.

We've grown from 15 kids in 2017 to over 3,100 students served, partnering with 32 organizations across Metro Atlanta in 2025.

Read Our Full Story →

What Drives Us

Helping Disadvantaged Kids to Thrive

Nearly half a million children in Metro Atlanta live in communities with low or very low child well-being. Traditional mentorship serves only a fraction. We solve that.

Our Mission

To help disadvantaged and special needs kids thrive by teaching core values — Self-Regulation, Resilience, and Respect — through high-quality martial arts mentorship.

A Scalable Model

One sensei can mentor 40–60 kids at a time. PowerUP provides business tools and marketing help so senseis build sustainable businesses while serving underprivileged kids.

The Model

How PowerUP Works

A virtuous cycle that serves underprivileged kids and supports local businesses that create jobs.

Donors Fund Scholarships

$500 sponsors one child for a full year of martial arts mentorship, training, and community.

Partners Refer Kids

KIPP, Boys & Girls Clubs, Agape, La Amistad, Purpose Built Schools and dozens more refer candidates.

Senseis Mentor & Train

Professional martial arts instructors mentor 40–60 kids at a time, teaching core values alongside technique.

Kids Rise Up

90% show measurable improvement in academics, health, behavior, self-regulation, resilience, and respect.

Proven Results

We Don't Just Believe in Our Impact. We Prove It.

In 2025, we collected 716 surveys with a 91% response rate from our 789 students using the SDQ and custom Behavior Survey.

“I applaud PowerUP's thoughtful approach to developing a community-based intervention that delivers meaningful outcomes.”

— Dr. Kimberley Lakes, Professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, UC Riverside

77%

Academic Performance

78%

Physical Health

77%

Home Behavior

78%

Self-Regulation

80%

Resilience

76%

Respect

56% of students improved in ALL aspects after just 8 classes

What Our Partners Say

Trusted by Leading Organizations

“

This collaboration perfectly embodies our mission to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens. PowerUP strengthens our young members physically and enriches their lives with discipline, confidence, and resilience.

David Jernigan

President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

“

As a parent, I have personally witnessed the transformative effects of the PowerUP program with my own son. The unwavering commitment from the PowerUP instructors have made a profound and lasting impact on his life.

Mini'mah Shaheed

CEO, KIPP Metro Atlanta

“

PowerUP Scholarship has been a consistent partner in Agape's afterschool and summer programming for several years. It's a program our students look forward to every week!

Nell Benn

CEO, Agape Youth & Family Center

It costs just$500to sponsor one child for a year

Be a Hero

When you support PowerUP you support parents, local business owners, and a scalable model that builds futures.

Donate Now → Sponsorship Tiers

Latest Updates

News & Stories

Events

The Tom Rawls Memorial Tournament

120+ students from 11 schools at Georgia Tech's O'Keefe Gymnasium, raising over $100K.

Milestones

PowerUP's First Black Belts

Diana, 17, and Ximena, 16, earned black belts after years with Sensei Guillermo Cesario.

Tribute

Remembering Sensei Richard Trammell

A founding instructor since 2017 who guided 300+ students and defined what it means to serve.

All News & Stories →

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Location

Metro Atlanta, Georgia

Tax-Deductible

501(c)(3) · EIN: 82-0885331

Build Strong Kids.Strengthen Communities.