What is Push Forward?
Push Forward is a Phoenix-based non-profit organization that operates to push the benefits of skateboarding in to the academic landscape. By merging skateboarding (one of the “coolest” activities on the planet!) with academics and wellness, Push Forward provides its patrons opportunities for physical engagement, creativity, self-expression, risk assessment, recreation, outdoor play, and the plethora of other skills that are naturally woven into the pursuit of skateboarding. With this, Push Forward cultivates a love for both skateboarding and education, empowering the next generation to thrive on the board, in the classroom, and in life.
How does push forward worK?
Push Forward is a donation-based non-profit organization that operates on three sources of support:
(1) individual patrons
(2) individual volunteers
(3) organizations.
Push Forward offers services in the areas of skateboarding, academics, and wellness for both individuals and organizations. Each of our three areas of focus offer private, one-on-one lessons, private group lessons, and public group sessions.
Private Lesson:
Private lessons are scheduled with the interest of having one-on-one time with an instructor to focus on skills, goals, and one individual’s needs. While these lessons may be held in public spaces (skateparks, coffee shops, public parks, etc.), the time spent together is 100% on the individual attending.
Private Group Lesson:
Private group lessons are designed to include the ability to schedule a lesson (or session) that includes close friends, acquaintances, family members, staff personnel, etc. and the instructor(s) focus is on that group. While these lessons may be held in public spaces (skateparks, coffee shops, public parks, etc.), the time spent together is 100% on the group attending.
Public Group Session:
Public group lessons are designed to include the ability to schedule a lesson (or session) that includes close friends, acquaintances, family members, staff personnel, etc. and the ability to extend the invite to those included in the Push Forward community. This provides the ability to expand one’s social circle as a skateboarder.While these lessons may be held in public spaces (skateparks, coffee shops, public parks, etc.), the time spent together is 100% on the group attending.
Proceeds:
For each session attended through Push Forward, 70% of proceeds are provided to the staff that are supporting the organization at the time, and 30% of the proceeds go back into supporting Push Forward’s goals, programs, and mission.
What goals are driven by Push Forward’s mission?
Other than hosting an outlet that provides the socio-emotional and physical benefits of skateboarding to our patrons, Push Forward’s mission and goals include the following:
- Shade AZ Initiative: Help us contribute to building awareness and funding the process of getting shade at skateparks in Arizona.
- Restore WARP (with WARP Corp.): Help us contribute to the WARP Corps. Mission towards suicide prevention in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. WARP Corps is currently raising funds to re-open it’s originating facility, WARP Skatepark, as a nonprofit organization that offers a recreational creation space for skateboarders, artists, and musicians.
- PE on Wheels: Help schools expand their Physical Education curriculum to include skateboarding (and rollerskating) in local schools as a substitute for traditional Physical Education courses. This would allow students to receive Physical Education credits for practicing and participating in skateboarding or roller skating during their school day.
- Create a Mission: Help us further spread the positive impact skateboarding, academic support, and wellness support has to offer in the community by pitching a mission! We love to help others Push Forward!
How do I support Push Forward?
We operate most effectively through the support of our community members in the following ways:
1. Support our program by scheduling lessons! Each lesson, whether private or group, helps support our mission, as well as supports the skateboarding community.
2. Support our program through donation! Other than donating towards our services, we are always excited to have our community members join us through time-based donations. If you are unable to donate your time, we are grateful to have our community members support us through our donation page.
3. Support our program by spreading the word. Mention our program to your friends, family, coworkers, or local organizations or institutions that may have an interest in supporting our mission. Each and every conversation about Push Forward pushes us forward!