Impact
2026
250+ youth served
More than 250 young skaters have been introduced to figure skating through the Dream Detroit Academy, creating a growing pipeline of youth who have the opportunity to discover the sport and become part of the Dream Detroit Skating Club community. Â As members of Dream Detroit Skating Club, skaters have access to opportunities that extend beyond learning the fundamentals of skating. They are encouraged to pursue continued training, participate in competitions and performances, learn from experienced coaches and mentors, and support one another as teammates. Our club provides an environment where skaters can set goals, challenge themselves, celebrate progress, and discover what they are capable of achieving. The Academy introduces children to the sport;Â the club gives them a place to grow in it.
Confident  Competitive Skaters
Dream Detroit have prepared skaters to take the skills they develop in practice beyond the practice rink and onto the competition rink representing themselves, their families, and Dream Detroit with confidence and pride. Competition gives our skaters the opportunity to challenge themselves, set goals, perform under pressure, and experience the rewards of consistent hard work. They learn that success is not defined solely by medals or placements, but by the courage to step onto the ice, put their preparation into action, learn from each experience, and continue growing.
6 Black women leaders
Dream Detroit Skating Club is led by six Black women who bring together the perspectives of skater parents, former skaters, and community leaders. We understand firsthand the commitment, sacrifice, and financial investment that figure skating requires, and we believe those opportunities should be accessible to more children. Together, our board is committed to creating greater access to figure skating while helping build a more inclusive and representative skating community in Detroit. We work to reduce financial barriers, connect families with opportunities and resources, and create an environment where young skaters can see themselves not only participating in the sport, but belonging in it. We are not simply creating opportunities for children to skate. We are helping create a future where the faces on the ice more fully reflect the communities we serve.
$8,965 The Cost of Competitive Skating
The estimated annual cost for one skater to participate and compete before considering the financial realities of individual families.Dream Detroit works intentionally to reduce these financial barriers by providing access to more affordable ice time, subsidizing club and program costs, securing donated equipment and resources, and providing financial assistance when possible for expenses such as competition fees, testing, coaching, and skating equipment. Through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, and community support, Dream Detroit helps make figure skating more accessible to Detroit-area youth and allows more young skaters to participate without the full financial burden typically associated with the sport.
