Strike It Strong Partnered With Cherry Hill Gym

The nonprofit will host a series of self-defense primer workshops for women at a local martial arts facility.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Safety

Vector editorial illustration showing leather focus mitts and a martial arts belt on a gym mat, symbolizing self-defense training. — Nonprofit Strike It Strong has partnered with Kempo Martial Arts & Fitness in Cherry Hill to provide permanent self-defense training workshops for women. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you participate in a self-defense workshop to improve your personal safety?

Nonprofit founders Nancy Starr and Cheryl Squadrito have launched a partnership with Kempo Martial Arts & Fitness in Cherry Hill. The organization aims to provide essential self-defense training to women throughout the South Jersey region.

Why it matters

The program addresses a regional need for accessible personal safety training by transitioning from mobile instruction to a fixed facility. This collaboration ensures consistent training opportunities for community members looking to develop protective skills.

The organizers have scheduled 3 self-defense primer workshops to take place in late 2026. This follows 3 years of mobile workshop operations conducted by the nonprofit throughout the region.

The players

Nancy Starr

Nancy Starr is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Strike It Strong.

Cheryl Squadrito

Cheryl Squadrito is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Strike It Strong.

Strike It Strong

Strike It Strong is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing self-defense training for women.

Kempo Martial Arts & Fitness

Kempo Martial Arts & Fitness is a training facility located in Cherry Hill.

The details

Founders Nancy Starr and Cheryl Squadrito established the Strike It Strong nonprofit to expand access to self-defense education for women. By partnering with Kempo Martial Arts & Fitness, the group gains a permanent physical location to conduct its training programs.

The nonprofit conducted mobile workshops for three years between 2023 and 2026.
The first self-defense primer workshop is scheduled for October 14, 2026.
The second workshop will be held on November 11, 2026.
The third workshop is set for December 9, 2026.
The founders plan to continue the collaboration with the gym into 2027.

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Seasonal Patterns

This partnership follows the documented trend of community-based organizations seeking permanent facilities to meet the rising local interest in self-defense training. The move mirrors a broader pattern of local nonprofits transitioning from transient service models to stable institutional partnerships.

Interested participants can register for the upcoming workshops hosted at the local Cherry Hill facility to gain hands-on safety training. These sessions provide a practical environment for residents to build personal defense skills.

The takeaway

Building community-based partnerships is an effective way for nonprofits to stabilize their operations and expand service access. Residents interested in personal safety should look for certified local training opportunities to ensure they are learning from qualified instructors.