Skating and Jamming: Sojourners Resiliency Center puts on Skate Jam fundraiser

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that the Sojourners Resiliency Center, not Rural Action, put on the Skate Jam fundraiser.

Members of the Athens community came together to watch and participate in Skate Jam on Saturday afternoon. 

Sojourners Resiliency Center (SRC) put on an event to bring together people who love skateboarding while also fundraising for both the Athens Skate Park and the SRC on North Shafer Street.

“Sojourners care network as a whole is focused on homelessness, especially homeless youth in Southeast Ohio,” Meah McCallister, a worker with the SRC, said. “We are a drop-in center for at-risk youth. We provide facilities to the public that's free for anyone like laundry, hot showers, wifi, food pantry, that kinda thing.” 

The idea of the event was presented to the SRC's board by Andrea Baird, the resiliency center coordinator for the non-profit, and a few other community leaders who skate at the park, according to McCallister.

“(The Sojourners Resiliency Centers’ Board) were all really excited about it. So we have been helping with the funding. Half of the fundraisers are going to our programming budget, and the other is going to the repairs of the skate park because it needs some love,” McCallister said. 

The event was kicked off by the Athens Ohio Roller Derby and a skate contest with a cash prize. 

Those less comfortable on a skateboard were able to listen to live musical performances by Ohio musicians including Peach Fuzz, Hydrone, The Wastemen, The D-Rays, Brood X and Dana, as well as eat plenty of food provided by Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen food truck and shop at a variety of skate focused vendors.

Chloe Challacombe, a frequent skater at the Athens Skatepark, is hoping that the funds raised will add a few improvements to the park.

“Unfortunately there is no roller skating competition, but I skated earlier today with the Appalachian Hell Betties demo. I skate here everyday, and I’m really hoping for a pump track, maybe a mini ramp,” Challacombe said. 

Skate Jam concluded with a benefit concert hosted at The Union.