Kraken, One Roof Foundation and ReWA expand youth skating to five Seattle schools

The Story

The Seattle Kraken, its One Roof Foundation (ORF) and the Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) have entered their sixth season of a youth Learn to Skate program designed to introduce children to ice skating.

This season, the initiative includes five Seattle school locations across Lake City, Northgate, Beacon Hill, Othello and MLK, after two new schools joined the partnership. About 95 children ages 4 and 5 are expected to participate.

Skating instruction takes place during weekly Wednesday sessions that run until mid-June. After the winter holidays, students can choose whether to focus on hockey or transition to figure skating in future lessons.

ReWA assistant director Julie Lu said the program helps children experience skating and develop skills they may not otherwise be able to access due to cost. Lu said many families served by ReWA are low-income, and that ice lessons and equipment can be major barriers to participation.

Lu said children from participating schools visit Kraken Community Iceplex for skating instruction, and for many, the lessons build balance, coordination and confidence. She also described watching children initially arrive nervous about stepping onto the ice before becoming more comfortable over the course of the program.

One parent, Rawed Kais, whose daughter Sofia started in the program, said Sofia has progressed from Learn to Skate classes to skating independently and later applying her balance to roller skating. Kais said learning to balance through skating made roller skating “pretty easy” for his daughter.

Lu said ReWA has also had to adjust how it distributes available spots as new schools have been added, including prioritizing children preparing to enter kindergarten. She said the program must also balance making room for new participants while supporting returning children who have already developed confidence on the ice.

Kais said the experience offers benefits beyond physical activity, including learning how to handle falls and keep going. He said he believes those lessons translate outside the rink, helping children deal with challenges in everyday life.