This fall, we’re thrilled to share that our enrichment partner, Rob Skate Academy, has made a generous in-kind donation valued at $15,600 to support our skateboarding enrichment programs across the San Lorenzo Unified School District.
This marks our third year working with San Leandro-based Rob Skate, and since the collaboration began, hundreds of Club members have learned to skate through our after-school program. This fall alone, more than 250 youth have already signed up to take part in skateboarding sessions across BGCSL.
The donation provides equipment for six school sites, including six portable mini skate park sets, 120 skateboards, and 120 helmet and pad bundles, ensuring every location is fully equipped for safe, engaging, and accessible skate sessions.
Ferguson shared that this donation comes directly from the organization’s own savings, an extraordinary act of generosity that reflects Rob Skate’s deep commitment to youth development. “As an organization out to bring skateboarding on par with traditional sports, we are always saving and reaching out to donors to provide opportunities such as these,” he said. “In this case, this is being funded by our personal savings,”
Founded by Ferguson in 2007, Rob Skate Academy has been a driving force in bringing structure, safety, and mentorship to the world of skateboarding. Ferguson started the school after recognizing a gap in the sport, since unlike traditional athletics, there were few coaches or programs to guide young skaters. He saw an opportunity to change that. As Ferguson explains, if he had a coach while learning to skate, he could have avoided a lot of unnecessary injuries.
Through their work, Rob Skate teaches more than skateboarding, helping youth build confidence and self-awareness “The most meaningful benefits from skateboarding aren’t what most people think or say, which often is resilience and accepting failure,” he said. “The most meaningful benefit in my eyes is the new understanding of one’s social emotional toolbox.”
Consuelo Zuluaga, Grant Compliance and Partnership Manager for BGCSL, said the donation opens doors for more youth to try something new. “This collaboration gives our members the chance to learn a sport they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Rob Skate’s support helps us make skateboarding accessible, safe, and fun while giving our members a new way to build confidence and challenge themselves.”
We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Rob Skate Academy and the lasting impact it continues to have on our Club members.
“It’s been such a pleasure working with the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro on every level,” said Ferguson. “From the culture they’ve created internally to externally, it’s all been very impactful, and we appreciate the new lifelong memories being made daily.”
At BGCSL, we’re proud to collaborate with partners like Rob Skate Academy who share our vision of opening doors of opportunity for every young person. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight more of our incredible enrichment partners who help bring learning and fun to life every day at our Clubhouses.
