Our History
The Midwest School of Isshinryu traces its roots back to 1974, when it began as part of a youth summer initiative at the Aurora YWCA, held at the Aurora Housing Authority’s Eastwood Center. Originally known as the Eastwood Karate Club, the program was created as one of several summer offerings for local youth. As the summer concluded and grant funding ended, the YWCA recognized the program’s exceptional impact and expressed a desire to continue. In response, Master Smith generously volunteered to keep the program running.
As interest and enrollment grew, the program transitioned from the Eastwood Center to the YWCA’s Downer Place location, and later to the newly constructed YWCA facility on River Street in Aurora, Illinois. When the YWCA eventually closed its River Street facility, the Fox Valley Montessori School graciously welcomed the Midwest School of Isshinryu as its new home, where we continue to serve the community to this day.
Over the decades, our students have gone on to achieve remarkable success—as standout high school athletes, law enforcement officers, military servicemembers, educators, business leaders, medical professionals, and even in the entertainment industry, including Stana Katic, best known for her role on the television series Castle.
The continued growth and legacy of our program have only been possible thanks to the unwavering support of the Aurora YWCA and now the Fox Valley Montessori School, both of which have provided us with a foundation—and a home—for generations of martial artists.
