West Michigan Hockey Youth Foundation Inc

GRGYF operates skating programs for a diverse group of children by partnering with local organizations.

GRGYF provides ice time for a local Special Olympics speed skating grou35 children practiced for two months for their Winter Olympics celebration.

GRGYF partners with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide children with disabilities the chance to play sled hockey. Sled hockey is very similar to the regular game of hockey except the children are seated in sleds and propel their movement with specially designed hockey sticks. There are approximately 20 children playing in our program, which is the only junior sled program in Michigan.

GRGYF partners with Girl Scouts of West Michigan Trails to provide 70 girls the opportunity to play ice hockey, in an all-girls program coached by an all-women volunteer coaching staff.

GRGYF operates three co-ed ice hockey programs for over 200 children in grades 1 through 9. Over half of the children live within the city of Grand Rapids and many qualify for reduced or free school lunch programs. Every child does homework each week related to the lessons learned on the ice including tolerance, cooperation and sportsmanshian outdoor ice skating facility in downtown Grand Rapids. The skates are made available free of charge and used in excess of 10,000 times each skating season.