Toledo youth
Community-built programming rooted in belonging and progression.
About Us / Meet The Coaches
About On-Deck Alliance
Youth mentorship through skateboarding
in Toledo
The On-Deck Alliance is a Toledo-based skateboarding nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through skateboarding lessons, mentorship, and community-driven programs. From local skateparks to structured sessions at the Frederick Douglass Center, we create opportunities for confidence, resilience, and long-term growth.
Beginner lessons
Structured skateboarding support for kids and first-time riders.
Trusted mentors
Experienced adults who keep showing up for students.
Our mission
Skateboarding for self-sufficiency & growth
We believe skateboarding foundations can create lasting change. As a growing skateboard nonprofit in Toledo, our focus stays on long-term impact through self-sufficiency, efficacy, and real access to supportive environments.
- Mental and physical wellness through movement and repetition
- Youth mentorship, leadership, and social-emotional growth
- Safe skateboarding environments for underserved communities
- Long-term youth development through consistent support
Our story
Building skateboarding opportunities in Toledo
The On-Deck Alliance was founded to address a gap in youth opportunities and skateboarding access in Toledo, Ohio. What started as a small effort to introduce kids skateboarding to local youth has grown into structured programming built around access, trust, and visible progress.
Why skateboarding?
A foundation for problem-solving, confidence, persistence, and self-expression
Skateboarding is more than a sport. Through youth skateboarding programs and skateboard lessons for kids, students practice how to fail, reset, progress, and express themselves in a supportive environment right here in Toledo.
Problem-solving
Students learn through trial, error, and active repetition.
Confidence
Progress on the board becomes self-belief off the board.
Persistence
Failure becomes part of the process instead of a stopping point.
Creativity
Students build their own style, pace, and voice through movement.
Structured support
Families find a safe, consistent environment for growth.
Local access
Toledo youth can learn close to home with real mentorship.
Our impact
Youth mentorship through skateboarding
We are more than just lessons. Our programs support youth looking for positive direction, families seeking meaningful opportunities, students connected through TPS schools, and kids who benefit from structured, supportive environments.
- Positive direction for young people who need consistent encouragement
- Support for families searching for youth opportunities in Toledo
- Mentorship that connects effort, progress, and belonging
- Life skills that carry far beyond the board
See our program in action
Real sessions, student progress, and community energy
This section is designed for video moments and documentary-style visuals from real sessions. Until dedicated clips are embedded, we keep the page image-led so families and partners still get a clear sense of what the program feels like.
Meet the founder
Joshua Cunningham built ODA around youth mentorship and community change in Toledo
Joshua Cunningham founded the On-Deck Alliance with a vision to use skateboarding as a tool for youth mentorship and community change in Toledo. His leadership continues to shape one of the most impactful skateboarding nonprofit programs in the city.
Meet our skateboarding coaches
Experienced mentors guiding students from first push to steady progression
Our coaches help students build confidence through fundamentals, repetition, encouragement, and visible progress. Real names and expanded bios can drop into these cards anytime.
Coach 1
Focused on strong fundamentals, confidence, and consistent practice for beginners.
Coach 2
Creates a supportive environment where kids can safely learn and progress.
Coach 3
Uses skateboarding as a pathway for discipline, resilience, and self-belief.
Coach 4
Brings energy and creativity to every session through fun, structured learning.
Coach 5
Helps students build momentum through patient instruction and clear progression.
Coach 6
Dedicated to building community through youth skateboarding and positive mentorship.
Research & community foundations
Guided by youth development, physical activity, and safe community spaces
Our skateboarding and youth mentorship programs are informed by research in physical activity, social-emotional learning, and community-based youth development. The approach stays practical, but it is grounded in real frameworks.
- American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC guidance on physical activity and youth wellness
- Search Institute developmental assets and CASEL social-emotional learning frameworks
- Advocacy for safe and inclusive skatepark spaces
- Sport-for-development models that treat movement as a tool for social impact
- Local inspiration from Toledo Public Schools, skateparks, and community centers
Support youth skateboarding in Toledo
Your support helps create more youth opportunities, mentorship, and safe skateboarding environments
Every dollar directly supports free skateboarding lessons for beginners, access to kids skateboarding programs, equipment, coaching, and the kind of structured support that keeps students coming back.
- $25 helps cover safety gear for a new student
- $50 supports a month of skateboard lessons for kids
- $100 helps fund a complete beginner setup
- $250+ supports multiple youth through the program
