- Award Entered:
Sport For Social Inclusion Award
- Parent Organisation:
Figure Skating in Harlem
- Project Host Nation:
United States
- Overview of Project:
Through educational workshops designed to boost student’s core academic and study skills, FSH is helping girls develop the foundation to graduate from HS and go on to college. Besides skating, all students participate in public speaking, financial literacy, social/emotional skills, nutrition and fitness, and skating theory workshops, as well as mentoring and internship, Leadership Circle, college prep workshops at Columbia University, and career week. Every week, students receive a minimum of six hours of homework help off-ice education, skating instruction and dance. Our students have scholarships to prestigious private schools like Horace Mann and Dana Hall, and the vast majority go on to four year colleges like Wesleyan, Spelman, and the University of Rochester.
By participating in a holistic program that combines figure skating with academic enrichment, girls are engaged in an extraordinary physical, mental, and social process of self-discovery and develop a keen interest in excelling at whatever they do. The communities served by FSH are among the poorest in all of NYC, with over 1/3 of residents living in poverty. FSH provides a rare opportunity for girls to get the attention and services they need, given the disproportionate risks they face.
Go back to the previous page
Global Partner
Media Partner
International Development Partner
Comments
Add Your Comment
Leanne Stella: 04 Aug 2010 - 17:10 BST
Figure Skating in Harlem gave my daughter poise and confidence as she entered her teenage years. The on-ice instruction developed her physically but the off-ice mentoring and encouragement boosted her self esteem. Programs like FSH are vital for girls to guide them and help them to see that they posess skills and talent and can succeed when they apply themselves.
Meiling Jabbaar: 27 Jul 2010 - 21:49 BST
I have been a member of Figure Skating in Harlem for eight years. The program has helped me to grow both as a person and athlete. Throughout my years in the porgram the most important things I have learned are how to be a leader, confidence, and teamwork. FSH is much more than a program for me, it is a family and support team that I know will always be there for me.
Alicia: 24 Jun 2010 - 01:40 BST
Figure Skating in Harlem exudes what so many organizations strive to embody. They take young girls and transform them into confident, charismatic, young adults ready to conquer the world, placing one skate forward at a time. FSH is committed to the whole individual, providing these young ladies with opportunities they no longer have to only dream about. They are committed to developing confident leaders, and build upon character as well as academics. Being a part of the FSH family, as a counselor for three seasons, I have had the pleasure of watching these students grow with the organization. As they develop bigger ambitions, FSH develops better means of providing them with a multitude of opportunities to feed their curiosity and passion. And it is this reciprocal growth that makes me proud to say that I am a member of the Figure Skating in Harlem team.
Gary Eisenkraft: 23 Jun 2010 - 17:40 BST
Figure Skating in Harlem is a model of how to do a sports / acedemic program in underserved neioghborhoods. They are developing girls into women with the skills necessary to succed in life. FSH is a wonderful asset to NY!
Jaki George, LCSW: 22 Jun 2010 - 20:02 BST
I salute the young women of Figure Skating in Harlem, who when given the tools of success, excel. I salute the parents of the program who have been an integral part of the program and have added to and created its success. Finally, I applaud the leaders, founders and staff of the program who have a genuine heart for the development of the girls and assisting them reach their potential. Figure Skating in Harlem is a blessing to the village of Harlem.
Jennifer: 22 Jun 2010 - 17:40 BST
I've seen firsthand the impact that Figure Skating in Harlem has on young girls' lives in this community. Please support this great organization!
Isisara Bey: 22 Jun 2010 - 17:27 BST
Greetings! My daughter, Makara, was a member of FSH for 8 years until she graduated from elementary school and went off to boarding school. FSH provided her with so many things. She got great outdoor exercise several times a week throughout the fall, winter and spring which kept her healthy all year long. She developed a proficiency in ice skating which she will never lose. She was held to an academic standard that she has continued to maintain in her academic career by keeping all her grades well above B. She has a higher measure of self esteem from performing. She learned the dynamics of working as a unit with others through the synchronized skating group within FSH. Most importantly she knows the real value of always getting back up quickly from a fall, literally and figuratively, which will serve her well the rest of her life. Isisara Bey, FSH Alumnae parent.
C. Weisblum: 22 Jun 2010 - 16:50 BST
Sharon Cohen and the FSH organization are leading the way toward a fresh outlook on education by supporting the whole child; mind, body and soul. These young and eager girls leave FSH confident and accomplished young ladies. Without a healthy outlook on your priorities, a high school degree is just another piece of paper. However, a degree earned with the after school support from FSH is far more valuable. The knowledge gained from FSH allows the graduating student to exhibit their respect for education as highlighted by their determination, dedication, self motivation and most of all shining confidence as they enter prestigious High Schools and Colleges. I could think of no better recipient for this award than Figure Skating in Harlem. With much fondness and support, C.. Weisblum
William King: 22 Jun 2010 - 15:08 BST
It is so fulfilling to watch the transformation of these girls into mature, confident, successful young women!! Go FSH!!!!!
Celia S. Wickham, MS Ed.: 22 Jun 2010 - 06:19 BST
I personally know two of the FSH young women and , as a youth program provider myself, I am truly proud of their participation in FSH. I have watched them grow into young women of confidence, yet still being teen-agers who enjoy life along with discipline, new experiences and new friends. Their father, from Africa, was especially proud of his daughters, their successes and their joy of being Dancers on Ice. I wish all of them as much joy as I did ice skating at Wollman Rink.
Alison: 22 Jun 2010 - 02:45 BST
FSH is a great program! I have been involved in the program for three years as an on-ice skating instructor as well as an off-ice teacher. My experiences with the girls have been amazing. I love being a part of this program because I get the chance to watch all of the girls grow into strong and independent people and figure skaters.
Friends of FSH: 22 Jun 2010 - 02:42 BST
Sharon Cohen and the FSH organization are leading the way toward a fresh outlook on education by supporting the whole child; mind, body and soul. These young and eager girls leave FSH confident and accomplished young ladies. Without a healthy outlook on your priorities, a high school degree is just another piece of paper. However, a degree earned with the after school support from FSH is far more valuable. The knowledge gained from FSH allows the graduating student to exhibit their respect for education as highlighted by their determination, dedication, self motivation and most of all their shining confidence as they enter prestigious High Schools and Colleges. I could think of no better recipient for this award than Figure Skating in Harlem. With much fondness and support - C. Weisblum
Katie: 22 Jun 2010 - 01:39 BST
I have worked for Figure Skating in Harlem as a skating coach, teacher, and general helper for 3 years and have witnessed the powerful effect this program has on girls' lives. It helps shy girls become confident young women, both on and off the ice. FSH builds a sense of community, develops self-efficacy, and promotes time-management, determination, and strong work-ethic. I'm passionate about all that FSH brings to the youth community of New York, especially at a time when we need to be developing a generation empowered to better themselves and their world - FSH girls are learning to do just that (and develop some great skating skills, too!)
G. Stephanie Ali: 21 Jun 2010 - 21:00 BST
Figure Skating is a non traditional sport for girls of color. Figure Skating in Harlem has changed that in the Village of Harlem. Not only is it considered an opportunity of a life time by the girls and their parents, the value add of tutoring, public speaking, nutrition and health adds to their life skill foundation. The enrichment these girls receives adds to their ability to overcome, life obstacles and reach for the stars. With Figure Skating in Harlem added these valuable skills along with a steady stream of encouragement, these young ladies will become pillars of their communities and definite change for tomorrow.l
Robert Herzog: 21 Jun 2010 - 20:50 BST
Sharon Cohen is inspiring girls and helping them become confident women. The program isn't just about sports. It's about education and helping girls learn what they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.