Evan Lysacek, who just won the men’s figure skating gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, has made a difference in the lives of thousands, but few people realize the difference he has made in the lives of kids right here in New York City. The dedicated and often quiet figure skater keeps himself busy off the ice by participating in a focused group of charity organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and an amazing program right in NYC called Figure Skating in Harlem.
Tonic.com interviewed Evan Lysacek about his life and pursuits on and off the ice:
When it comes to skating, though, his deepest bonds have been made through Figure Skating in Harlem. “That’s so easy for me to get behind, because it is a skating organization,” he says of the program that puts inner-city girls grades K through 12 on the ice as a way to build self-esteem, confidence, discipline and more.
“A lot of these girls are from single parent homes, or have no parents — they’re being raised by grandparents or friends. They’re living in Harlem, and would never have access to great tutoring, academics and figure skating at all.
Girls are chosen for the Figure Skating in Harlem program by submitting admissions essays. Historically, about 1/3 of the girls are chosen, however, a recent donation from Amway is expected to enable the Skating Program to increase that amount and offer the experience to even more girls.
The benefits of physical fitness, team and social interaction as well as the creation of an entire support system based within the ideals of athleticism and dedication have enabled many of the girls from the Figure Skating in Harlem program to go to achieve some amazing goals in life.
“They give them another loving and supportive family to nurture their education and athleticism,” he notes. And the results speak for themselves. “Some of these girls go on and get scholarships to the best private schools in New York City. Some have become doctors, lawyers, politicians.
The Winter Olympics garner the attention of nations across the world as they cheer on their own heroes, but for many families in NYC there is a clear hero in Evan Lysacek, regardless of any other honors he earns.
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