This Page About Ice Hockey In Harlem

Ice Hockey In Harlem

Ice Hockey In Harlem is a non profit, comunity-based organization for youth, that uses the sport of hockey to promote academic acheivement, responsibility, teamwork and good character.

Based on City Council Profiles (1995) for Harlem Councilmanic Districts 8, 9 and 10 there are 500,000 residents living in the Harlem community. Of those residents 26% are 18 years or under. 19% are white, 32% are African American, 46% are Hispanic and 2% are Asian. 41% of persons 25 and older lack a high school diploma. Only 32% of elementary aged children are reading at or above grade level. In 1990, less than 8% of residents live in owner-occupied housing. In 1996, 21 % of residents were receiving public assistance.

Ice Hockey In Harlem (IHIH) has served the children and families in the Harlem community for over 13 years. With Harlem schools over 110% capacity, quality after school programming becomes increasingly important in assisting the schools in their educational goals. Recent surveys indicate a deficit in the number of after school opportunities available to children in the Harlem community. Free programs that offer a host of services to children are vital to the families and the community where in 1990, 38% were at or below the poverty level.

Established 14 years ago in East Harlem, IHIH enrolled forty youngsters age 7-17. It was in this inaugural year that the future structure of the program was realized, incorporating academic achievement and literacy into the experience of learning and mastering the skills of ice hockey.

Today, Ice Hockey In Harlem provides educational and social services to over 275 Hispanic and African-American children between the of ages 4 - 17 living throughout the Harlem community. Despite its growth, IHIH continues to supply children with the same personalized and caring attention that those first participants received. In addition, IHIH has added a full range of services to help children succeed in school and in their community while maintaining its commitment to do so without charge.

Ice Hockey In Harlem uses the sport of ice hockey to attract and motivate participants, who otherwise may not have access to this dynamic sport. Once youngsters register in the program a window of opportunity becomes available to them through the weekly classes, ice sessions, field trips and summer camps. In the classes, volunteers are provided with a curriculum that uses hockey as a catalyst in exploring other academic areas such as math, geography, writing, teamwork and social skills. On the ice, volunteer coaches emphasize teamwork, social skills and community responsibility. Field trips provide new experiences for students while serving as incentives. Each year, over 50 participants benefit from the enrichment of summer hockey camps in the US and Canada through scholarships arranged by IHIH.

The IHIH Social Work department provides academic case management, high school and college guidance and assists in obtaining high school and college scholarships. IHIH offers counseling and collaborates with other agencies to provide additional services such as tutoring, academic testing and mental health services. The department manages a Mentoring Program that recruits, trains and offers ongoing support in the development of the Mentor/Mentee relationship. In addition, the Social Work department organizes the IHIH Alumni Association that recruits past participants as Mentors and Volunteers.

IHIH continues to provide these services in addition to supplying all ice hockey equipment without charge. It is through the dedication of over eighty trained volunteer coaches, teachers, tutors, and mentors who are mobilized weekly that IHIH is able to guarantee participants an enriched and rewarding experience. Volunteers, along with social work interns, education assistants, and staff supply the full range of services IHIH participants depend on.

While adult volunteers serve as role models for community service, older participants are required to contribute time both within the organization and the wider community. This serves to create a culture of volunteerism within the program that has resulted in the formation of an IHIH Youth Council, a Volunteer Advisory Board and the Alumni Association.

In addition to the services offered within the organization, Ice Hockey In Harlem is an active member of the broader Harlem community. Its ability to work with other community organizations and schools contributes to the success of the program. IHIH is currently collaborating with Community School Districts 3, 4 and 6, the King Tower Community Center and the Jackie Robinson YMCA.

Programs like Ice Hockey In Harlem are rare in inner city communities. Historically, the professional sport of ice hockey has failed to attract minorities and women. This lack of inclusion and commitment at the professional level effects programs like Ice Hockey In Harlem. Despite this, we are witnessing a steady increase in the number of girls and boys registering for the program each year. The increase in enrollment program wide is 30% over 1998-1999. Over the past four years there has been a 23% increase in the number of girls. At the present rate of growth, female registrants will reach 30% of total enrollment by the year 2001. Currently, 77% of the participants are male and 23% are female. 55% of the youngsters are of Hispanic heritage and 45% of the youngsters are of African-American background.

Ice Hockey In Harlem has demonstrated for the past fourteen years that hockey can be successfully used to attract children to a program where participants learn an exciting sport, focus on academic achievement, and have access to enhanced educational and career opportunities. Continue to learn more about Ice hockey, please visit The Foundation Center.

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