To ensure kids can continue to move forward, Youth Fencing Chicago is working with the Bronzeville Fencing Academy, recipient of USA Fencing’s Peter Westbrook Trailblazer Award, organizing the Gear Up For Summer collection drive. If you have fencing equipment not being used, we would love to have them. We have three convenient locations for drop-off. Again, feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or if you want to help. We will pick up the boxes after June 9, 2024

However, to stay this engaged means it takes a lot of work! For many of these kids, it has been a long journey with many hurdles just to participate in fencing. They had to break the community stereotypes, convince their parents, find the a way to pay for lessons, and find a way to get to practice. For those who found their way this far, the next part was even harder – Qualifications for the USA Fencing National Championships & July Challenge (The Summer Nationals)!

Those who qualified for the The Summer Nationals prove that the extra mile was worth it! However, sadly, for some, it might end here.

By the time the Summer Nationals comes around, it would be a full fencing season and chances are, their equipment have failed and/or beginning to fail. We don’t want them to stop moving forward just because they have a hole in their glove, or they don’t have a replacement blade or a working body cord! Please donate your gently used equipment so we can help them succeed. You can also help by Donating Directly to help them get to Columbus this summer. Any amount would be help. – Thank you!