Our Impact - Inner-City Education - Read Our Positive Impact Stories

Our Impact

Beyond the Game: Brent Seabrook

The Chicago Blackhawks and Brent Seabrook’s support has resulted in a positive impact for our program for many years. Watch this video to learn more about the positive impact from those involved including Brent Seabrook, founder Brad Erickson, Pete Hassen, our student-athletes and their parents.

(Video Credit: NBC Sports Chicago)

Our Impact

Beyond the Game: Brent Seabrook

(Video Credit: NBC Sports Chicago)

We exist to create opportunities for a better future through hockey and educational programs.

The Inner-City Education Program has consistently been proven to have a monumental impact on its participants’ lives and those people that are a part of them. The impact has been proven through the positive stories we receive from schools, coaches, volunteers, parents, and most importantly our participants.

Program Success

97% of participants enjoy tutoring and hockey practice

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

93% of parents agree that because of the Inner-City Education Program, their child has more self confidence

Survey Results

The Inner-City Education Program conducts an annual survey that is sent out to participants and their parents. Below is a summary of our latest survey results.

Players

Program success: 97.3% of players enjoy coming to hockey practice
SEL: 90.7% of players agree that because of our program they are excited for their futures and what they can be when they grow up
SEL: 86.7% of players agree that because of our program they have set positive goal
SEL: 85.3% of players agree that because of our program they have more self-confidence
Academic engagement: 86.5% of players agree that because of our program they complete their homework
Academic engagement: 85.5% of players agree that because of our program their behavior in school has improved

Parents

Program success: 97.2% of parents say they/their child enjoy coming to hockey practice
Program success: 100% of parents say that they/their child child enjoy coming to tutoring
SEL: 96.2% of parents agree that because of our program their child’s social interaction with with peers and/or siblings have improved
SEL: 92.9% of parents agree that because of our program their child has more self confidence
SEL: 92.3% of parents agree that because of our program their child has set positive goals
Academic engagement: 92.3% of parents agree that because of our program their child completes their homework
Academic engagement: 92.3% of parents agree that because of our program their child likes being in school more

Academic Engagement

87% of players agree that because of the Inner-City Education Program, they complete their homework

Over $1 Million

in donations received over the last 15 years

Impact Stories

Meet Volunteer Tom Chase

“…by providing a positive after-school and weekend activity to look forward to, [our mentees] show up to the rink with excitement each day…”

Volunteer Mark Weir

“..if they put the time and effort into their schoolwork and with the help of the ICE Program, they can achieve whatever they put their mind to.”

Dimas Parents Letter

“He said to me, ‘No words can explain it Dad, it felt great!'”

Mark Scholarship Recipient

“Due to receiving the ICE scholarship I have also learned to be more responsible…”

Brian Scholarship Recipient

The ICE Program received this wonderful message from Brian, a scholarship recipient… “Without the ICE Scholarship I would have had to go to my local public school and I wouldn’t have received as good of an education as the one I am receiving from Nazareth Academy. Because of ICE my family and I have been …

Principal Mary Mycek Letter

June 16, 2016 Dear Board of Directors, I am writing this letter on behalf of District 99 as an expression of gratitude for the ICE Program. This past school year Cicero Public Schools had 40 students participate in the hockey and tutoring program. The outcomes of this program are immeasurable. On the ice our students …

Michael Scholarship Recipient

Receiving the ICE Scholarship has allowed me to go to Guerin College Prep High School. Going to this school has helped me become a better person and is preparing me in my education to follow my dreams of attending a major college and playing in the USHL while getting a great education. I am very …

Spencer Scholarship Recipient

I participate in a variety of sports. I’ve been on a basketball team for five years and play second base on my baseball team. But ice hockey is my true passion – a passion that started when I began playing right wing three years ago. Being introduced to Brad Erickson and learning about the ICE …

Walsh Parents Letter

Coach Brad, Words cannot express how truly thankful we are for all that you have done for [our son]. We are so appreciative of everything that everyone within your organization has done. He has such a passion for hockey and just getting to play was a dream come true for him. We never imagined that …

Share Your Story

Has the Inner-City Education Program positively impacted your life? We want to hear from students, parents, donors, schools, coaches, volunteers, and any one who has been impacted by our Program. Please share your story on the Great Nonprofits platform.

Ways to Give

Give Money

Ways to donate money include:

Online (Credit Card/ACH)
By Mail or Invoice
Corporate Matching Gift Programs

Free Ways to Give

Unable to donate money? Free ways to give include:

Launch an online or in-person fundraiser
Shop or Sell for Good
Volunteer

Be a Game Changer

Light the lamp to a brighter future with a monetary donation today. Not ready to donate money? Learn about free ways to give to our cause.

“The physical skills, academic skills and ‘soft’ skills our students gained from the ICE Program have made a huge impact on our students and our school community.” – Mary Mycyk, Principal Cicero East School

— Mary Mycyk, Principal, Cicero East School