About Us

Kicking It Back, a not-for-profit organization, was founded by Juan Hernandez (Mr. Karate) in 2006 and has been serving the youth of Beecher, Illinois and the surrounding area for twelve years.

Juan is a 7th degree black belt in Shorei Ryu karate, world karate champion, five-time National Karate Champion and has received numerous other awards and accolades. Hernandez is also the founder of Alicia’s House, which is one of the largest food pantries in the Chicagoland south suburbs and the highly successful Police and Kids Together (PAKT) Program, where youth participate in fitness training with police officers, which offers opportunities for youth and police to interact in an encouraging way and to provide our youth with a positive influence. 

Students of Hernández’s Martial Arts Program have won three World Championships and 75 National Championship Titles with the World Karate Council, American Karate Association and the North American Sport Karate Association. In 2021, three students from the program attended the World Karate Championships, winning one gold medal, five silver medals, and one bronze medal for Team USA. Returning in 2022, two students went to Ireland and won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal for Team USA. 

In 2022, with the help of many generous donations, Kicking It Back purchased an 11,000 square foot building at 522 Gould Street in Beecher, IL to house our PAKT and karate programs and Meemaw’s Cozy Corner. Juan's next goal is to create a space for families with autistic children and other disabilities.