Tony Hawk Foundation Renews Support For Skateistan
$50,000 grant from champion skateboarder’s charity to support youth in Cambodia, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
Vista, CA (October 10, 2018) — The Tony Hawk Foundation has awarded international youth charity Skateistan a $50,000 grant to support the organization’s skateboarding and educational programs. Skateistan operates five schools in South Africa, Cambodia, and Afghanistan, and combines skateboarding instruction with core subjects to inspire youth to learn and to be active.
This is the second grant awarded to Skateistan by the Tony Hawk Foundation. The first was a $100,000 gift in 2015 and represented the launch of THF’s International Program. The current grant renews the foundation’s commitment to enriching the lives of youth through skateboarding, both in the U.S. and abroad.
“We’re proud to continue our support for Skateistan,” said Tony Hawk, who also serves on Skateistan’s Global Advisory Board. “Knowing what they’ve achieved, and seeing what they have planned, I am confident they will bring skateboarding and educational services to even more at-risk youth around the world. It’s an honor to be an avocation of their incredible work”
Skateistan was founded in 2007, when Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich brought a set of skateboards to Kabul, Afghanistan. What began as impromptu skate lessons on the slopes of an empty fountain has grown into an internationally recognized NGO, with its headquarters in Berlin, Germany and locations on three other continents. The organization has been recognized for its work by UNICEF, Ashoka, and the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, and Skateistan students have spoken at the Afghan Parliament, UN events, and several international conferences, including events in Italy, UAE, and South Korea.
“With this support from THF, Skateistan continues to expand our free education and skateboarding programs to the children we serve,” said Skateistan Programs Director Talia Kaufman. “We believe change comes when children are encouraged to make a difference in their own communities. Empowering communities is the best way to have a long-lasting impact, and we are grateful for this continuation of support that allows our students to imagine and live out brighter futures.”
Skateistan continues to expand its free services to children in some of the most challenging places on Earth, through its programs, and assisting other youth-serving organizations. The universal appeal of skateboarding for young people is evident in the enthusiasm of students across the Skateistan campuses, where many students are living with disabilities, and, in some locations, more than fifty percent of students are girls. Skateboarding will also debut as an Olympic sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
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