Impact Report
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2017 IMPACT REPORT A MESSAGE FROM OUR OUR MISSION PRESIDENT/CEO Using the sport of ice hockey, the mission of Snider Hockey is to build lives and unite communities, helping educate young people to succeed in the game of life. When recently asked to describe Snider Hockey, I replied: “It’s a world-class youth hockey organization that prioritizes whole-child development.” HOW WE DO IT Later, I thought: “Would Ed have approved?” I imagined his game-face stare dissolving into a wry smile and a nod of approval. Snider Hockey is a highly innovative program that uses the sport of ice hockey coupled with a rigorous off-ice life skills curriculum and supplemental educational and health services to build character and academic skills for high-risk boys We know Ed Snider was a giving person. We also know there were certain things that surely sparked his ire. One was and girls from Philadelphia and Camden. Hockey is simply the “hook” that is used to gain and hold the attention of complacency. Snider Hockey bears many traits of its founder. our students, thus keeping them fully engaged in activities that strengthen their physical, academic, and emotional How can we do more? These were words often heard from Ed—words he etched deeply into our culture. In that spirit, development. in 2017 an organizational decision was made to further deepen the many services that we provide on a daily basis to our young people. Efforts to prepare students to thrive in an increasingly complex world were redoubled. Programs have been implemented TABLE OF CONTENTS to support them in nearly every aspect of their lives, and at every stage of their development both on and off the ice— measures we believe necessary to meet our goal to produce successful citizens. Why Hockey? ............................................................................... 3 Our support often comes in subtle ways: encouragement by a mentor to put a tough loss in perspective; a breakthrough strategy delivered by a tutor to help solve difficult math equations; a disciplinary benching for violation of team rules 2016–17 School Year ......................................................................... 5 to help instill accountability; or simply, the ability to take home (and keep) a book from one of our rink-based libraries Game Ready for Life ......................................................................... 8 that might kindle a life-long love of reading. Hockey Programs . 11 Less subtly: We have forged new and innovative alliances with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Faith in the Future that enable our students to attend high-performing private high schools at no cost—a dream previously out of reach Rink Locations ............................................................................ 14 for most of our families. And we have continued to build forward-thinking partnerships with an ever-growing cohort of post-secondary institutions that help us provide qualifying students with scholarships covering tuition, housing, Keeping Score ............................................................................. 15 and meals. This allows these students to graduate from college or professional/trade school on time—debt-free. At Center Ice (Student Testimonials) ........................................................... 17 Such life-changing work would be impossible without the leadership of a dedicated Board of Directors, partnerships with dozens of outside organizations—including and especially the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL—and the generosity Post-secondary, Corporate, and Non-profit Teammates ............................................. 18 of countless donors and volunteers. 2017 Highlights ............................................................................ 21 THANK YOU for joining us in our efforts to provide deeper services to our students, and empowering them to succeed in their life journeys all the way from crayons through college and beyond. Testimonials .............................................................................. 23 I think Ed would be proud! Media Coverage ............................................................................ 25 Scott Tharp Financials ................................................................................. 26 Chairman’s Club and Annual Donors ........................................................... 27 Leadership ................................................................................ 30 Hockey is merely “THE HOOK” that we use to capture and keep students’ attention while we immerse them in an array of programs designed to foster whole-child development. Few sports are at the same time as physical and cerebral as hockey, requiring stamina and quickness, sudden conviction, and exceptional patience. The game helps young players improve their ability to focus their thoughts while developing physical strength, speed, and flexibility. In these pages you’ll read why the sport of ice hockey is particularly well-suited to instill characteristics and traits that enable young people to build healthy, happy, productive lives. HOCKEY? Perhaps most important . in no other sport are work ethic, resilience, and teamwork more correlated with effective play than in hockey—a reality WHY that reinforces positive life habits. 3 4 CT A 20 P 1 EDUCATION PROGRAMS M 7 I 1,830 HOMEWORK HELP SESSIONS Since hockey’s invention in the 19th century, players have coveted ice time. At Snider Hockey, ice time is considered a privilege, one that’s contingent upon living up to core responsibilities: being In our Homework Help program, students complete their schoolwork, receive additional one-on-one tutoring committed hockey players, dependable teammates, and dedicated students. in subjects they find challenging, or have an adult proofread their work. Homework Help is designed to help In partnership with 339 public, charter, and parochial schools, during the 2016–17 school year nearly struggling students and give our high flyers the opportunity to achieve even more. 4,000 report cards and progress reports were collected, ensuring that our student-athletes were on track for promotion from one grade to the next. Students whose averages drop below a C, or who exhibit behavioral or attendance issues, have their ice time and league play limited until improvement is shown—that’s a powerful incentive. We meld the allure of hockey with the objective of maximizing scholastic achievement in our flagship initiative, the After-School Excellence Program (ASEP). In addition to developing skills and knowledge to realize their academic potential, students in ASEP benefit from a simple reality: Time spent in our out-of-school-time programs is time spent productively, away from potentially destructive influences. Our Academic Assistants work closely with teachers, counselors, parents, and guardians to address the specific needs of individual students. We target areas in which students struggle, and provide intensive tutoring (when needed) to develop competence and confidence. We believe our approach is working! SCHOOL YEAR SCHOOL CT A 20 P 1 M 7 I 1,653 READING BUDDIES SESSIONS Reading Buddies is open to all students, but is specifically intended to help students in grades Pre-K through 3 who are behind in reading level. This program promotes literacy and builds confidence in and enjoyment of reading. CT A 20 During the 2016–17 school year, our students had a grade-to-grade promotion rate P 1 M 7 of 99.7%. Remarkably, this occurred in the same neighborhoods in which this I 666 REQUIRED TUTORING SESSIONS figure is between 60% and 70%. Further, in each of the last four years, 100% of Snider Hockey high school seniors have graduated, and 88% have either entered Required Tutoring is assigned to any student whose grade drops below a C standard in a core subject. These 2016-17 post-secondary programs or joined the military. students must attend Required Tutoring to play in any hockey practice, game, or activity. 5 6 CT A 20 P 1 M 7 I ACADEMIC GAMES AND ENRICHMENT SESSIONS 4,225 To thrive in today’s economy students need more than a high school diploma. Indeed, they’ll need an appreciation for life-long learning. Academic Games include math and reading exercises, problem-solving puzzles, and board games. We collaborate with With that in mind, the goal of our GAME READY FOR LIFE! program the After School Activities Partnership at each rink, and engage students in mind-stretching activities such as chess is to increase post-secondary and college readiness for Snider Hockey and Scrabble. Throughout the year, students also participate in enrichment activities to celebrate special events such students. as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Armed Forces Fridays. GAME READY FOR LIFE! GAME READY FOR LIFE! creates a postsecondary education-bound CT A 20 P 1 PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED ALL A’S & culture for students from the time they enter sixth grade. In subtle and M 7 I B’S IN ANY GIVEN MARKING PERIOD DURING THE 2016–17 not-so-subtle ways, at every turn they receive and internalize a message 70% SCHOOL YEAR that leads them to conclude that formal education does not end with high school—far from it—whether the next step is college, professional/trade We designate these hardworking students “Academic All-Stars.” In addition to exemplary grades, these students must school, or a career in the military. have good school attendance records, demonstrate responsible behavior in school, and be upstanding citizens of the Snider Hockey