Six member clubs and programs have been awarded $2,000 each for the purpose of developing community-based programs and events designed to attract, involve and inspire new generations of figure skaters.
A five-member selection committee reviewed 41 applications and awarded grants to those clubs and programs that were most effectively able to demonstrate how they would use the award to develop their initiatives.
The recipients of the grants are Southport Skating Club (Gurnee, IL); Rockford Park District (Rockford, IL); WVU Figure Skating Mason Dixon FSC (Morgantown, WV); City of Cleveland Heights (Cleveland Heights, OH); Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena (Washington, D.C.) and Detroit Skating Club (Bloomfield Hills, MI).
The grants will be used in the following ways:
*Southport Skating Club will expand their Rising Stars Therapeutic Skating Program by developing an individualized curriculum specially tailored to individuals with severe disabilities or who need the assistance of sleds or walkers.
*Rockford Park District will expand their Learn to Skate program and outreach to the local community. The program will also continue to provide transportation and staffing for their program, as well as U.S. Figure Skating memberships to skaters interested in figure skating.
*WVU Figure Skating Mason Dixon FSC will build a synchronized skating program by establishing two youth teams, Synchro Skills level 1 and 2. Funding will allow them to establish a strong program that will build as participants mature into higher levels of skating.
*City of Cleveland Heights will offer six weeks of lessons to young local skaters at no charge and purchase six new pairs of skates. This program aims to encourage community youth to continue figure skating as an extra-curricular activity.
*Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena will expand Learn to Skate USA, Schools and Camps Skate for Fitness, and KOI P.L.U.S. (Positive Living Using Skating) within their Kids On Ice program, which provides free and/or subsidized skating lessons to local children from disadvantaged neighborhoods six days a week.
*Detroit Skating Club will expand scholarship opportunities for low-income girls in the neighboring community of Pontiac, as well as support the second annual Figure Skating in Detroit summer camp.
The Community Development Grants, started by the Robert V. Hauff and John F. Dreeland Foundation, were established in 2010 with the purpose of providing funding to eligible member clubs and Learn to Skate USA programs throughout the United States. Formerly known as the Hauff and Dreedland Community Development Grant, the U.S. Figure Skating Community Development Grants were awarded to the applicants who successfully demonstrated program plans that embody the principles of U.S. Figure Skating’s mission and that will be strong role models in promoting the sport of figure skating throughout their communities. For more information on the grants or any of the recipient programs, please click here or contact U.S. Figure Skating.
