A Place to Start. A Path to Keep Going.

“I was never able to skate, and then I could skate across the whole place without holding on.”

That is how one Indianapolis Public Schools student described their experience with Our Hockey House.

For many children, Our Hockey House is their first chance to put on skates, step onto the ice, and discover what they can do. We make hockey accessible to the youth of Indianapolis, with a focus on children from underserved communities, by providing equipment, supportive instruction, mentorship, and welcoming opportunities to learn.

Children arrive unsure of themselves. They fall, get back up, learn to move without holding onto the wall, encourage their friends, and begin seeing new possibilities for themselves. What starts as an opportunity to try hockey often becomes something much bigger: confidence, perseverance, belonging, and a passion they may never have known was available to them.

One parent shared:

“My kids have gone from not knowing what hockey is to loving it and looking forward to it because of you.”

The Need Is Growing

Our Hockey House began with 122 children in our first year—far more than the 10 to 15 we initially expected. Participation grew to approximately 300 children in Year 2 and more than 500 in our most recent program year.

Today, more than 600 children remain on our combined school and community waitlists.

Some of these children need their first chance to try. Others have already discovered a love for hockey and need a path to continue developing.

The impact reaches beyond the ice. In our 2026 survey of IPS after-school participants:

96% said their skating improved
99% said they wanted to come skating again
95% said they were happier to go to school on skating days

The demand is clear. Our next challenge is building the dependable people, equipment systems, ice access, and operating capacity required to serve these children consistently.

Why We Are Raising $220,000

Our $220,000 current-year funding goal supports the complete system needed to turn a child’s interest in hockey into a real opportunity to participate.

Funding will help Our Hockey House:

Purchase on-ice barriers that allow us to divide the rink into smaller learning areas, better serve children at different skill levels, and improve the overall quality of instruction.
Add more youth equipment so children can try hockey safely without families having to purchase expensive gear before knowing whether the sport is right for them.
Create proper equipment storage, drying, cleaning, and sanitation capacity. As the program has grown, we have outgrown our ability to transport equipment back and forth. Because equipment is shared and rotated among children, it must be properly cleaned, dried, organized, and maintained between uses.
Secure the ice and facility access required to continue current programming and serve more children.
Provide transportation assistance, insurance, participant-safety resources, coaching supplies, and apparel that helps participants and volunteers feel prepared and identifiable.
Support the people who make these opportunities possible, including program leadership, skating instructors, coaches, mentors, school and family coordination, volunteer management, equipment fitting and care, and ongoing communication.

Together, these investments create the dependable, well-supported program children need to safely try hockey, develop their skills, and continue playing.

What Your Support Makes Possible

Your support means more children can:

Try hockey without the cost of equipment becoming a barrier
Learn in smaller groups designed for their age, experience, and skill level
Receive consistent instruction, coaching, encouragement, and mentorship
Participate through their school or community in a safe, welcoming environment
Return for Player Development and continue building their skills
Gain confidence, perseverance, and a sense of belonging through the sport
See a real pathway from trying hockey for the first time to continuing to play

Support received now allows us to prepare before high-volume programming begins, make responsible commitments to schools and families, and give children a dependable experience rather than building each session around whatever resources happen to be available.

Become an Early Supporter

Individuals, families, and businesses who support this campaign are helping Our Hockey House enter its next stage with stronger programs, more dependable operations, and a responsible plan for growth.

Supporters who make a gift of $5,000 or more by November 1, 2026 may be recognized, with permission, as 2026–27 Early Leadership Supporters at our December kickoff fundraising and vision event. Recognition is always optional, and donors may remain anonymous.

This campaign supports Our Hockey House’s current programs and 2026–27 operating needs. Our future facility vision and any related capital campaign will be introduced separately. A gift today does not obligate anyone to support a future campaign.

Help Open the Door

Some children need their first chance to step onto the ice. Others need a place to keep going.

Your support gives them both.

Please make a gift, share this campaign, or introduce Our Hockey House to someone who believes every child deserves the opportunity to discover where they belong.

Help More Kids Find Their Place on the Ice

Become an Early Leadership Supporter of Our Hockey House’s Campaign

Team Members