Chance the Rapper walked into the main rink at Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks' practice facility, as 50 children from the Kids of the Kingdom summer program were skating, laughing, having fun.
"It's really about showing new experiences to these kids," the Chicago native and rapper said of Kids of the Kingdom, a summer day camp founded by Chance’s great grandmother Gladys in 1978 that’s run by SocialWorks, the nonprofit organization Chance founded in August 2016.
"A lot of them have never been to a Blackhawks game or are maybe a little inexperienced about hockey. Some of them have been ice skating before but a lot of them haven't. To all of them, it's a new experience, it's something fun and something to look forward to."
It was a fun Friday, the final day of the summer camp that was supported by the joint NHL corporate giving fund and the NHL and NHL Players Association Industry Growth Fund grant of $100,000.
The camp was run by SocialWorks, which serves Chicago-area youth by providing educational enrichment, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities. The program focuses on personal development, creativity and leadership, offering children a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow. Since 2016, SocialWorks has contributed $12 million to the Chicagoland community, impacting more than 50,000 students.
Through the initiative, SocialWorks ran six weeks of ball and street hockey programming, introducing kids to an accessible, low-barrier version of hockey while strengthening their connection to the Blackhawks brand. Fifty kids aged 5-13 wrapped up camp with a skate at Fifth Third Arena, followed by lunch.
"For us, it's really important to welcome the community into the Chicago Blackhawks community ice rink. It's here for that reason," Blackhawks manager of social impact programs Jose De La Torre said. "We love opening the doors to organizations like SocialWorks. They do such great work with the community. [There are] a lot of first-time skaters, so it was really nice for us to see that, provide those experiences."
Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Jonathan Bennett, stopped by the arena to say hello to some of the kids and camp counselors.
"There's nothing that happens within SocialWorks without Chancelor approving, knowing what's going on and things like that," SocialWorks co-executive director Justin Cunningham said. "With his demanding schedule, for him to also be prioritizing his philanthropic work on the same level and degree as his musical career, of course it means a lot.
"This is not the only time Chance has come to the camp. He makes it a priority to come to the camp, if not weekly, to be able to just let himself know that he's just as accessible as our curriculum, our counselors and the community that we try to create. He's a part of that."
Chance said his relationship with hockey started with an apperance on "Saturday Night Live," when he did a skit portraying Lazlo Holmes, a fictional NBA commentator who's transferred to hockey to cover a New York Rangers game.
"I respect the Blackhawks and their legacy. That's one of the reasons why Chicago's considered a champion city," he said. "But I didn't go to any games until after I did an 'SNL' skit where I say, 'Let's do that hockey.' Now I get invited to hockey games all the time."
The Blackhawks supplied the kids their socks and skates for the day. Chicago forward Colton Dach, who was at the event, helped some of the kids get their skates tied.
"I didn't learn to tie my skates until I was 10 or 12, so it's nice to see some of them do it on their own," Dach said. "It's fun to go and talk with them, tie some skates, get to know them a little bit. It's awesome to see them all smiles and happy and just being kids."
Lindros Beard, programs coordinator for the Blackhawks, set the kids up with a red ice helper and skating instructions: Put your feet in a V formation, heels together, then take small strides.
"I skated since I was 4 with my aunt and my sister. I fell four times (today), so it hurt," said camper Brooke, 11. "It was scary, but mostly fun."
Stevie, 12, started skating with the ice helper but was soon skating on her own.
"I felt more comfortable. Out of a 10, I'd say I was at a six," she said. "I get to learn more about God, spend time with him and meet new friends and enjoy my counselors."
The Kids of the Kingdom camp is over for another summer. But the memory of their final day is one the participating children will likely remember for a long time.
"This stays with the campers because these are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to get a chance to bring their families and be around their camping family, these counselors that they have relationships with," Cunningham said.
"It also expands the city. Not a lot of our campers necessarily have the opportunity to go to Fifth Third Arena where nobody else is on the skates or nobody else is on the ice and just really get a chance to fail and succeed in the safety of their own community. Being able to do these things makes the city a little smaller, makes it more accessible and also just allows you to just be a kid."
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