“The goal of the program is to teach self-confidence, self-esteem, self-control, patience, and leadership skills because the children we are teaching are our future,” Tarole Lloyd said. “We need to take care of that more than anything else.”
The Lloyds were recently recognized for their efforts by the Salvation Army with the, “Others” Award, said development director of Springfield Salvation Army, Ryan Ray.
The “Others” Award is the Salvation Army’s most prestigious honor. This award honors individuals who exemplify an extraordinary spirit of service to “others,” according to the agency.
“That is one of our more prestigious awards. The award really speaks to their selflessness and everything they have done for us,” Ray said.
Ray said the couple plays, a “huge role,” in the lives of their students lives far beyond martial arts.
“A good number of these students have some stuff going on in their life, and they really step up and give them something they might not have,” Ray said. “They are, without fail, a huge part of these kids lives.”
Tarole Lloyd went to the martial arts program as a 28-year-old student with her son, after getting out of a bad relationship, she said. Her son was being bullied in school and she thought the program could help.
“I brought my son here and we worked on making our lives all better,” Tarole Lloyd said. “They helped him.”
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Rick Lloyd became interested in martial arts during college and took classes in Urbana, he said. After the Urbana studio closed, he decided to begin taking classes in Springfield.
This is where the Lloyds met.
“He tells people he picked up his family at the Salvation Army,” Tarole Lloyd said.
The couple, with assistance from the leadership team, teach six classes a week with three on Tuesdays and three on Thursdays.
The leadership team is comprised of students that have learned the skills and now have the confidence to teach the younger students.
Being able to teach the skills they have learned is the ultimate goal, Tarole Lloyd said.
She wants to help the students build confidence and gain a stronger foundation.
“Seeing them hold their head up and believe in themselves for the first time in whatever step they learn - that’s why we are here,” she said.
Classes are income-based with the highest paying $50 - which isn’t many, Tarole Lloyd said.
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The youngest student is five and the oldest student is 70.
The program also helps kids overcome physical challenges and disabilities. They have had several kids with muscular connective tissue issues, Tarole Lloyd said.
“It’s one big family,” she said. “That’s what keeps us going.”
Ray said many of Tarole’s students believe the same. He said many of her students refer to her as, “mom.”
“Some of these kids will call her in the middle of the night,” Ray said.
“We do it because of the kids,” Tarole Lloyd said. “A lot of kids are rough around the edges - just aren’t sure what path they want to be on yet. I think this can help them decide their path.”
Throughout the Christmas season, the Springfield News-Sun brings attention to Unsung Heroes — those who consistently go above and beyond in their work or aspects of their lives to care for others.
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