SkateQilya Winter Campaign 2018
Tax deductible
SKATEQILYA
SkateQilya is a youth empowerment program using skateboarding and art to teach community building and leadership skills to Palestinian girls and boys in the West Bank. We are a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and are the first co-ed educational and athletic program in the northern part of the West Bank.
We are very proud of our programming and partnerships in 2018. They included intensive skate workshops at the Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center; a partnership with the internationally renowned Skateistan in their Goodpush Alliance program; our third annual summer camp at our Jayyous Skatepark, hosting a one of a kind theatrical skate production in partnership with Eyes Up Here Productions and The Freedom Theatre; partnering with SkatePal and hosting their international volunteer program in Jayyous; 12 months of continuous skate programming at our Jayyous Skatepark; and recently, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, our latest program, Skate at School.
We are also thrilled to add a new member of our team this year. Suha Maree, a community organizer from Tulkarem is now our Programs Manager.
KEEP US MOVING IN 2019
After such an incredible year, we need your support to keep our classes continuing and build new infrastructure in 2019. We have an amazing staff of Palestinians on the ground in the West Bank making our work possible. We need $30,000 to secure our winter and spring programs for 2019. We already have a commitment of $10,000 and need an additional $20,000 to keep us moving forward.
Skate at School
In coordination with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, SkateQilya is teaching skateboarding as part of the general physical education curriculum. Our first program is at the Jamal Abed Alnaser all girls school in Tulkarem, where we have taught as many as five classes a day. With your support, we can expand to more schools in 2019.
Jayyous Park Sessions
One year after opening this incredible park, built with our partners at SkatePal, we are averaging 25 skaters a day and 150 per week. 30% of the weekly attendance are girls. With your support, we can keep the park open six days a week and year-round with constant supervision by our skate instructors and volunteers.
Girls Non Stop
Inspired by one of our summer camp counselors, this all-girls skate community in Tulkarem meets weekly at a local community center averaging anywhere from 20-40 in attendance. We also send them twice a month to Jayyous for an all girls skate day at our park. With your support, we can continue to operate this essential empowerment program into 2019.
Bathrooms
SkateQilya has a multi-phase plan in 2019 to construct an office, classroom and bathrooms next to the park. Currently, children have to walk to nearby offices or their homes to use a restroom. With your support, we can complete Phase 1 of this infrastructure plan and build much needed bathrooms, helping us continue our mission of creating a safe space for these children.
YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
$16 provides one child a week of skate sessions at our Jayyous Park
$85 provides one school a day’s worth of four skate classes at our Skate at School program
$452 provides girls from Jayyous and Tulkarem the opportunity to skate together twice a month at our Jayyous Park for our Girls Non Stop program
OUR IMPACT IN 2018
» 12 months of continuous programming.
» 800+ members of the Jayyous Skatepark
» 150 children per week on average skating at our Jayyous Skatepark.
» 30% of the children at the park are girls.
» 250+ students in Tulkarem have been introduced through two SkateQilya programs.
» 60 campers and 7 counselors at our third annual summer camp.
» 45% of the camp were girls.
WHY SKATEBOARDING?
Skateboarding is new and captivating; it is the hook. It is both simple to learn and offers infinite opportunities for improvement. Skateboarding is an incredible vehicle for discovering self-expression, confidence, belonging and leadership. Like other alternative sports, it is flexible to interpretation and does not promote “winning” as a priority. Any skater around the world can explain how a skateboard changes a person’s perception of their environment. In a place like Palestine, which has been occupied for decades and surrounded by walls, this sport and art form takes on a whole new meaning.
PRESS
Viceland’s POST RADICAL: Meet the People Building a Skate Park for Kids in the West Bank
CNN: Ramping up the West Bank’s Skateboard Scene
NBC: Skateboarding Camp Helps Palestinians See Beyond West Bank Walls
Haaretz: How a West Bank Skate Park Offers Palestinian Youth a Safe Haven From Occupation
The Huffington Post: US Pro Skater Hopes To Start Summer Camp For Palestinian Children
Vice Magazine: Inside One of Palestine’s First Skate Camps
TEAM
Mohammed Othman [Executive Director] is a Palestinian non-violent activist, community organizer and film producer with over a decade of experience working for and founding various NGOs across Palestine and traveling around the world speaking on behalf of Palestinian rights. As youth coordinator with the Stop the Wall campaign, Mohammed worked with students all over Palestine leading community building and leadership programs. As a tour guide, his clients have included former American President Jimmy Carter and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Since leaving his work as a community organizer, Mohammed has been working as a producer for Qalqilya and a line producer for other independent filmmakers working in the West Bank. As Executive Director, Mohammed is overseeing all aspects of SkateQilya, and at the same time, is functioning as our programs manager, directing our skate instructor in Qalqilya and working directly with the students.
Suha Maree [Programs Manager] is a Palestinian community leader and youth coordinator. She is the Director of the IREX suppored Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center in the village of Shwekeh. Suha has worked with many organizations in Palestine as a social worker and coordinator of projects. She has a Masters in Institution Building & Human Resources and is now working with SkateQilya in helping to design and build sustainable programs.
Omar Hattab [Skate Instructor] is 21 years-old and one of the first skaters from the city of Qalqilya. He has been volunteering as a skate instructor since we created SkateQilya. This year, in coordination with our partners at the Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center, Omar has a part-time job teaching skateboarding in the nearby city of Tulkarem. This is the first paid skateboarding job for a Palestinian.
Hakeem Anaya [Assistant Instructor] is 20 years-old and was a member of the original X-Games team to inspire the construction of our skate ramp in Qalqilya. He has been consistently volunteering his time throughout the years to support all of our projects. With our programming growing in size, Hakeem will be assisting Omar a few days a week.
Kenny Reed [Skate Director] is a 14-year veteran of professional skateboarding and known as the “Traveler” for his work performing and teaching skateboarding in far-off communities around the world that have never experienced or witnessed the art of skating. Kenny’s sojourns include Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Siberia, Palestine…the list goes on! His experience working with children includes making several trips to Afghanistan to work with Skateistan. Check out Kenny’s latest book about skating in Afghanistan, Some Time to Smile . Kenny began working with Mohammed and Adam in 2013 when he volunteered to help build the skate ramp in Qalqilya. As Skate Director, Kenny oversees all aspects of skate programming and partnerships with the skateboard industry.
Adam Abel [Development Director] is a New York based artist working with photography, video and film. His photographs, videos and installations have been exhibited throughout the U.S and internationally. Adam’s practice for the last five years has focused on exploring narratives from Palestine. He has spent significant time living and filming in the West Bank for his upcoming feature documentary, Qalqilya , as well as producing a nine-channel video installation called Palestine Interrupted . Adam taught as an adjunct instructor at Lehman College (CUNY) from 2007-2010. He completed an MFA in Photography and Related Media at Parsons, The New School For Design in 2012 and received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1998. As Development Director, Adam is overseeing all aspects of fundraising, outreach, and programming for SkateQilya.
Zaid Arikat [Outreach] is a Phoenix, Arizona based skateboarder working through a graduate law program at Arizona State University. His mother and father are both Palestinian and his first experience in Jayyous during Summer in 2018 brought him and the existent staff at SkateQilya together in a way that forged a bond and a will to collaborate. As the newest member of the team, Zaid looks to help SkateQilya with international outreach, media presence, and help to organize new and innovative workshops for the campers at the Jayyous skatepark in Summer 2019.
SkateQilya is a youth empowerment program using skateboarding and art to teach community building and leadership skills to Palestinian girls and boys in the West Bank. We are a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and are the first co-ed educational and athletic program in the northern part of the West Bank.
We are very proud of our programming and partnerships in 2018. They included intensive skate workshops at the Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center; a partnership with the internationally renowned Skateistan in their Goodpush Alliance program; our third annual summer camp at our Jayyous Skatepark, hosting a one of a kind theatrical skate production in partnership with Eyes Up Here Productions and The Freedom Theatre; partnering with SkatePal and hosting their international volunteer program in Jayyous; 12 months of continuous skate programming at our Jayyous Skatepark; and recently, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, our latest program, Skate at School.
We are also thrilled to add a new member of our team this year. Suha Maree, a community organizer from Tulkarem is now our Programs Manager.
KEEP US MOVING IN 2019
After such an incredible year, we need your support to keep our classes continuing and build new infrastructure in 2019. We have an amazing staff of Palestinians on the ground in the West Bank making our work possible. We need $30,000 to secure our winter and spring programs for 2019. We already have a commitment of $10,000 and need an additional $20,000 to keep us moving forward.
Skate at School
In coordination with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, SkateQilya is teaching skateboarding as part of the general physical education curriculum. Our first program is at the Jamal Abed Alnaser all girls school in Tulkarem, where we have taught as many as five classes a day. With your support, we can expand to more schools in 2019.
Jayyous Park Sessions
One year after opening this incredible park, built with our partners at SkatePal, we are averaging 25 skaters a day and 150 per week. 30% of the weekly attendance are girls. With your support, we can keep the park open six days a week and year-round with constant supervision by our skate instructors and volunteers.
Girls Non Stop
Inspired by one of our summer camp counselors, this all-girls skate community in Tulkarem meets weekly at a local community center averaging anywhere from 20-40 in attendance. We also send them twice a month to Jayyous for an all girls skate day at our park. With your support, we can continue to operate this essential empowerment program into 2019.
Bathrooms
SkateQilya has a multi-phase plan in 2019 to construct an office, classroom and bathrooms next to the park. Currently, children have to walk to nearby offices or their homes to use a restroom. With your support, we can complete Phase 1 of this infrastructure plan and build much needed bathrooms, helping us continue our mission of creating a safe space for these children.
YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
$16 provides one child a week of skate sessions at our Jayyous Park
$85 provides one school a day’s worth of four skate classes at our Skate at School program
$452 provides girls from Jayyous and Tulkarem the opportunity to skate together twice a month at our Jayyous Park for our Girls Non Stop program
OUR IMPACT IN 2018
» 12 months of continuous programming.
» 800+ members of the Jayyous Skatepark
» 150 children per week on average skating at our Jayyous Skatepark.
» 30% of the children at the park are girls.
» 250+ students in Tulkarem have been introduced through two SkateQilya programs.
» 60 campers and 7 counselors at our third annual summer camp.
» 45% of the camp were girls.
WHY SKATEBOARDING?
Skateboarding is new and captivating; it is the hook. It is both simple to learn and offers infinite opportunities for improvement. Skateboarding is an incredible vehicle for discovering self-expression, confidence, belonging and leadership. Like other alternative sports, it is flexible to interpretation and does not promote “winning” as a priority. Any skater around the world can explain how a skateboard changes a person’s perception of their environment. In a place like Palestine, which has been occupied for decades and surrounded by walls, this sport and art form takes on a whole new meaning.
PRESSViceland’s POST RADICAL: Meet the People Building a Skate Park for Kids in the West Bank
CNN: Ramping up the West Bank’s Skateboard Scene
NBC: Skateboarding Camp Helps Palestinians See Beyond West Bank Walls
Haaretz: How a West Bank Skate Park Offers Palestinian Youth a Safe Haven From Occupation
The Huffington Post: US Pro Skater Hopes To Start Summer Camp For Palestinian Children
Vice Magazine: Inside One of Palestine’s First Skate Camps
TEAM
Mohammed Othman [Executive Director] is a Palestinian non-violent activist, community organizer and film producer with over a decade of experience working for and founding various NGOs across Palestine and traveling around the world speaking on behalf of Palestinian rights. As youth coordinator with the Stop the Wall campaign, Mohammed worked with students all over Palestine leading community building and leadership programs. As a tour guide, his clients have included former American President Jimmy Carter and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Since leaving his work as a community organizer, Mohammed has been working as a producer for Qalqilya and a line producer for other independent filmmakers working in the West Bank. As Executive Director, Mohammed is overseeing all aspects of SkateQilya, and at the same time, is functioning as our programs manager, directing our skate instructor in Qalqilya and working directly with the students.
Suha Maree [Programs Manager] is a Palestinian community leader and youth coordinator. She is the Director of the IREX suppored Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center in the village of Shwekeh. Suha has worked with many organizations in Palestine as a social worker and coordinator of projects. She has a Masters in Institution Building & Human Resources and is now working with SkateQilya in helping to design and build sustainable programs.
Omar Hattab [Skate Instructor] is 21 years-old and one of the first skaters from the city of Qalqilya. He has been volunteering as a skate instructor since we created SkateQilya. This year, in coordination with our partners at the Tulkarem Youth Development Resource Center, Omar has a part-time job teaching skateboarding in the nearby city of Tulkarem. This is the first paid skateboarding job for a Palestinian.
Hakeem Anaya [Assistant Instructor] is 20 years-old and was a member of the original X-Games team to inspire the construction of our skate ramp in Qalqilya. He has been consistently volunteering his time throughout the years to support all of our projects. With our programming growing in size, Hakeem will be assisting Omar a few days a week.
Kenny Reed [Skate Director] is a 14-year veteran of professional skateboarding and known as the “Traveler” for his work performing and teaching skateboarding in far-off communities around the world that have never experienced or witnessed the art of skating. Kenny’s sojourns include Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Siberia, Palestine…the list goes on! His experience working with children includes making several trips to Afghanistan to work with Skateistan. Check out Kenny’s latest book about skating in Afghanistan, Some Time to Smile . Kenny began working with Mohammed and Adam in 2013 when he volunteered to help build the skate ramp in Qalqilya. As Skate Director, Kenny oversees all aspects of skate programming and partnerships with the skateboard industry.
Adam Abel [Development Director] is a New York based artist working with photography, video and film. His photographs, videos and installations have been exhibited throughout the U.S and internationally. Adam’s practice for the last five years has focused on exploring narratives from Palestine. He has spent significant time living and filming in the West Bank for his upcoming feature documentary, Qalqilya , as well as producing a nine-channel video installation called Palestine Interrupted . Adam taught as an adjunct instructor at Lehman College (CUNY) from 2007-2010. He completed an MFA in Photography and Related Media at Parsons, The New School For Design in 2012 and received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1998. As Development Director, Adam is overseeing all aspects of fundraising, outreach, and programming for SkateQilya.
Zaid Arikat [Outreach] is a Phoenix, Arizona based skateboarder working through a graduate law program at Arizona State University. His mother and father are both Palestinian and his first experience in Jayyous during Summer in 2018 brought him and the existent staff at SkateQilya together in a way that forged a bond and a will to collaborate. As the newest member of the team, Zaid looks to help SkateQilya with international outreach, media presence, and help to organize new and innovative workshops for the campers at the Jayyous skatepark in Summer 2019.
Fundraising team: SkateQilya (2)
Adam Abel
Organizer
New York, NY
SkateQilya
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Suha Maree
Team member
