Mutual Aid groups make the world go ’round. It’s not just the big names like The Tony Hawk Foundation and Montana Pool Service, or regional standouts Skate Like A Girl and Skate After School … people are doing good things in your own backyard.
Spotlight: SK8 916
A skateboarding collective for women and the LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 2019 by Kristine Yabumoto, SK8916 provides safety-in-numbers so that marginalized skaters can enjoy skating too. The group hosts monthly or bi-monthly group skates. Most of their events originally consisted of cruising along a mellow route (like the Front Street bike path) to make it less intimidating to first-timers, but are beginning to branch out. Yet not without its challenges. Skateparks can be pretty intense and macho to anyone new to the scene. Many of the group’s members showed hesitance in moving into a skatepark setting, either because of a negative experience in the past, or an unfriendly vibe here-and-now, that made them feel unsafe and less-than-welcome. Taking a second chance as a group helped a lot of these skaters become comfortable being at a skatepark for the first time. Not only is this empowering for them, but can be a first step towards reversing the stigma surrounding going to skateparks as a woman and/or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The success of this first attempt means future events at McClatchy (Oak Park), while rumors of a curb jam are in the air. The group’s goal is to get even more social minorities feeling welcome, comfortable, confident, and safe within the skate community. Find out more at @sk8916 on iG
Other Affinity Groups & Non-Profits to Check Out (or Help Out) Project Lifelong Now offering 3 weekly after-school skate sessions in addition to snow and outdoor trips for teens. projectlifelong.org SkateMD The group organizes one-on-one skateboard clinics for kids 5–17 facing developmental, physical, emotional, or family challenges. Going strong since 2014, the SkateMD returns in May ’22 from a long COVID hiatus. skatemdhh.com Save Souls Skate Bowls Carlos, Devin, and Eric combined efforts mid-pandemic to get boards under kids' feet. As of their April event in Oakdale, the group has provided over 300 boards to kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to get started or keep going. They regularly bring together classes, jam contests, and cleanup days throughout the 916, 209, and east bay. IG: @save_souls_skate_bowls Be Exceptional Originally a series of dance-oriented social events for families of those with exceptional needs, the program has evolved over 15 years to include skate events in and around its home base of Antioch. beexceptionalprograms.com
