A recent partnership between the Tulsa Oilers Hockey Foundation and the Tulsa Dream Center brought a burst of excitement to the WeStreet Ice Center, where roughly 70 local children took part in a free ice‑skating session.
The ‘Skate it Forward’ program, designed to erase financial obstacles that keep many youngsters off the ice, offered the kids a chance to learn basic skating skills while enjoying a fun afternoon on the rink.
A Program Built on Community Support
Skating Director Jessica Stoops explained that ice skating does more than provide recreation; it teaches perseverance, confidence and teamwork, qualities that can shape a child’s development beyond the rink.
The foundation depends on contributions from a range of community partners to fund equipment, ice time and instructional resources, ensuring that the program remains accessible to all.
Events Manager Patrick Garcia stressed that sustained community involvement is essential to the initiative’s longevity, noting that each donation directly translates into another child’s opportunity to skate.
Case Manager Jeanna Ball of the Tulsa Dream Center highlighted how events like ‘Skate it Forward’ enrich the organization’s summer youth curriculum, giving participants experiences they might not otherwise encounter.
Both organizations hope the model can be replicated across the region, encouraging other groups to consider how sport and recreation can be leveraged to foster personal growth and community cohesion.