As a school resource officer for the Folsom Police Department, James Dorris has the unique opportunity to shape young minds within his community—an influence he makes the most of with Fighting for Fitness, a free after-school boxing program dedicated to promoting discipline, self-respect and academic achievement among middle and high school students.

Dorris, who holds three national boxing titles, founded the program seven years ago to help combat the bullying epidemic that continues to plague schools.

Cameron Isenogle and Robert Jensen

 “I have learned that bullying peaks in middle school. I have seen how [it] affects kids in a horrible way,” he shares. “The cause is personal to me, because the sport has blessed me in a positive way. I know that learning the art will help each student develop self-esteem.”

Stopbullying.gov—an online resource focused on providing information from government 

James Dorris and Anthony Barrera

 agencies about bullying, including best practices for prevention and response—reports that bullying is linked to an array of negative outcomes in children and teens, including substance abuse and suicide. And the effects aren’t limited to perpetrators and victims. Even bystanders are more likely to miss or skip school and may be at an increased risk for mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

“I explain to the kids that this world is filled with good and evil,” Dorris says. “There are sheep—those who live their lives peacefully and would only hurt each other by accident; there are wolves—those who want to steal from the sheep, bully the sheep, hurt the sheep or even kill the sheep, and would sacrifice a sheep’s life to save his own; and there are sheep dogs—those who protect and fight for the sheep, [and] will sacrifice his or her life to save a sheep.”

When they join Fighting for Fitness, each of Dorris’ students take an oath to be a sheep dog. “While they learn the art of boxing and become fit,” he explains, “they [also] develop a family and team atmosphere amongst their peers.”

Alexis Garcia and Anthony Valenzuela

 Funding for the program is provided by the Folsom Police Foundation, which raises money for charitable projects throughout the City of Folsom, many of which focus on impacting the lives of at-risk youth.  

“This program has helped me develop a rapport with the kids,” Dorris shares, “and opened my eyes on the potential each one of these kids has.”    

folsompolicefoundation.org/endeavors

Article by Morgan Cásarez // Photos by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group