Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Makes Grant Possible

AURORA, IL, USA, August 28, 2024. The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation — an organization which seeks to reimagine female empowerment through supporting programs offered by Aurora-area nonprofits — has awarded a grant to Charley Co. Boxing Club in support of their work to foster leadership among youth and help terminate bullying.

“We believe boxing is a wonderful tool for cultivating discipline and self-esteem,” said Amy Baudouin, Board Chair, Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF). “It’s a difficult sport that tests your physical and mental abilities and we love that Charley Co. Boxing Club also focuses on sharing the benefits of this sport with girls and women. It made our day to see how excited the children were when they first used their new equipment made possible through this grant.”

Before providing funding, and to get to know better the mission of Charley Co. Boxing Club (CCBC), two Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Board members visited the Oswego-based nonprofit —Linda Pilmer, AWEF Board Secretary and owner of Pilmer Real Estate, and Liz Robinson-Chan, AWEF Board Member and recently retired Commander for the City of Aurora Police Department. Both were immediately struck by what they experienced.

Amy Baudouin, Board Chair

Liz Robinson-Chan

The cadet grey building, which is home to CCBC, splits its space between the nonprofit and an automotive repair shop, and while its appearance is nowhere near the dingy wooden warehouses seen in boxing films, CCBC likewise lacks the sleek, monochromatic look of modern gyms. “They were like clockwork,” commented Robinson-Chan. “No funny business. No excuses. Just dedication and passion. Seeing these kids inspired me and we want to inspire them.”

If the host of international flags hanging from the Club’s walls wasn’t a giveaway, CCBC’s principal purpose is to unite the community, particularly in regard to the youth. “The rise of social media has sadly brought about a rise in bullying,” Robinson-Chan continued. “Self-confidence, especially in teenage girls, is at an all-time low and boxing is an excellent outlet to build that self-confidence alongside other important abilities, like self-defense.”

CCBC, which welcomes individuals across all counties with most coming from Kane and the Aurora area, offers a number of programs, including the two that captured AWEF’s attention specifically designed to build self-confidence and self-defense: an anti-bullying program for boys and girls, ages 12-17; and a domestic violence prevention program it organizes for women of all ages. Providing these programs yet requires newer and newer equipment, for the Club’s punching bags and gloves have slowly been worn away by the hundreds of locals CCBC has aided over the seven years it has operated.

As a part of CCBC’s initiative to increase female participation and maintain the Club’s high safety standards, AWEF awarded the boxing club a grant to replace the Club’s ailing equipment. The club’s athletes now have access to new headgear, hand wraps, gloves, and vests in the ring. Such upgraded equipment will prevent injuries in the foreseeable future and permit greater safety in the sport.

“A boxer’s best tool is their brain, but good gloves help, too,” said Carlos Cruz, President of CCBC. “I tell the students every single day: safety, safety, safety. What we teach here is self-respect, meaning defense. When most people think of boxing, they think offense. Kids want knockouts, but we’re not about that. Wherever these children go in their future, offense won’t win anything ninety-nine times out of a hundred. Defense will. Discipline will.”

Coach Carlos is no stranger to discipline. The Club’s founder served in the Marine Corps for a decade, where he was deployed to Iraq on three separate tours. After returning home, the veteran had enough of offense and decided to establish a boxing club dedicated to defense. On why he established CCBC, Coach Carlos said, “When I was a kid in Chicago, boxing became an avenue to escape my trouble and I wanted to replicate that outlet — I want to give back to my community. Simple as.”

Although “simple” nowhere near accurately describes the CCBC’s numerous success stories. Over the years, Coach Carlos has cultivated several Chicago Golden Gloves Champions and even national champions, which he owes to his stern commitment. “Complacency is the biggest enemy, so I tell the kids to be committed and never surrender. I’m not going to give up on them and that teaches them to not give up on themselves.”

To learn more about Charley Co. Boxing Club, stop by for your own site visit at their location at 16B S. Cherry Drive, Unit A, in Oswego, or phone (331) 999-3957. Club hours are: Monday through Thursday, 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday, Closed; Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

About…

The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation mission is to elevate and empower Aurora-area women and future women by making grants to tax-exempt nonprofits engaged in meaningful, measurable work that helps women over the hurdles of inequity and exclusion, propelling them forward with life-changing programs and services.  For more information about grants made by AWEF, including our grant guidelines and online application, visit awe-foundation.org.

Charley Co. Boxing Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, established in 2017, serving the greater Chicagoland area and physically located in Oswego, Illinois. The organization was established to help support the local community by providing an outlet that teaches resiliency, mental fortitude, and physical wellbeing. Its mission is to instill confidence in youth and adults by providing boxing and training that leads to healthier lifestyles, defense and safety technique, and a sense of comradery and belonging.