Chicago Youth Foundation
Active youth do better in life. They are more likely to excel in school, succeed in work and have fewer health issues. Ice sports are a powerful way to keep kids active and teach valuable life lessons, yet the kids who benefit the most from ice sports are prohibited from participating due to multiple barriers these sports present.
Our women-led initiative removes the barriers and allows all youth in the greater Chicago area the opportunity to experience the thrill of participating in ice sports in a fun, safe, positive and inclusive environment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender and socio-economic status.
ON-ICE PROGRAMS
Something happens the moment a kid’s skates touch the ice. It’s beautiful. Surreal. Empowering. It’s the experience where kids learn as much about skating as they do about themselves.
Through participation in ice hockey, our students learn the fundamentals of the game, engage in an active lifestyle, and broaden their life experiences.
The benefits of figure skating extend beyond physical fitness. It teaches
kids goal setting and the pursuit of excellence, and it gives children a higher level of self-esteem and a more positive outlook on life.
ICE SPORTS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
WE HELP YOUTH BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES
PATHFINDERS
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Bringing Out the Best in Youth and in Our Communities
An adjunctive off-ice program providing positive experiential learning opportunities, tools/resources, guidance, and mentorship related to lifestyle, mental/physical health and social well-being.
Your Impact
Through our flagship initiatives – Learn-to-Skate Chicago, Hockey On Your Block, Figure Skating On Your Block, and Pathfinders Positive Youth Development – we engage over 2000 Metro Chicago children (grades K-8) each year in fun, challenging activities that help them thrive on and off the ice.
As a partner, community-builder, and advocate, Chicago Youth Foundation rallies a broad coalition of stakeholders to close the activity gap for underserved youth throughout Metro Chicago.
Their Future Depends On What You Do Today
We’ve come a long way to make Chicago a better place but we’re not done yet. We need your help. Your donation makes it possible for us to say “yes” to one more child or family who needs us, ensuring that Chicago Youth Foundation educators, mentors and volunteers can continue to help thousands of kids become the best version of themselves!
$25 Provides yearly USA Hockey/US Figure Skating registration fees for one participant.
$100 Provides one student with classroom materials for one year in our Pathfinders program.
$250 Sponsors one participant for one year in our on-ice program.
$1000 You are a titan of youth and community development and a true inspiration to us all. You’ve shown your commitment to Chicago Youth Foundation and everything we stand for in the most profound way.
Get Involved
As an organization, we bring young, bright, culturally competent role models to inspire youngsters to follow the right path and educate the youth on opportunities that may be available to them. Using ice sports as a medium, trained mentors teach skills and life lessons, such as personal responsibility and social-emotional competence.
What young people need are more role models and fewer critics. – Legendary coach, John Wooden
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