Meet Our Partners

Please take some time to get to know our 2023-2024 Lockport Spokes partners!

JT Sports and Recreation

JT Sports and Recreation has been a part of the Lockport community since 2018. The club's mission is to promote boxing and fitness health. Our purpose is to make a significant impact on locals in the community and to provide outlets for youth to develop. JT Sports & Recreation aims to promote fitness, discipline, friendship, fair play, and respect for the community, particularly the younger generation. Our motto is "We are all legends in the making" and we hope to bring that to reality for the younger generation. We currently offer boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, strength and conditioning classes, as well as meditation and yoga.

Spokes Program: JT Sports and Recreation will provide free drop-in style acrobatics, meditation, yoga, homework space, refreshments, and sports, with access to the lounge area and gymnasium when available.

WAHI Studio, Inc.

“Miss Jess” is the founder of WAHI Studio INC. and is the main art instructor and the Executive Director. She founded WAHI Studio INC. on August 31st, 2020. WAHI Studio INC is an educational 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides creative services using art in our community while supporting mental health. WAHI Studio is committed to being a resource in the Western New York Community for creative programming and the bettering of mental health. Using art, we are able to provide accessible education opportunities and an understanding of mental health and all that it impacts. We believe that art education is for everyone, the young and the young at heart.

You can think of the studio itself as a gym for creativity. You can come here and form a practice with art journaling using our large collage and mixed media collection. Try out new art mediums like charcoal, sculpture, and ink from our supply stock. We have expressive art forms in our unique chaos corner that include throwing paint, punch painting using boxing gloves, using aim with darts at paint-filled balloons, spin art, and more. We know creativity is found in the process rather than the product. We meet our patrons where they are and offer a safe and supportive environment to discover joy using art. Outside of our walls, we provide art classes, events, beautification projects, and activities for other organizations to help them meet their goals and provide income that supports our studio. Collaboration is a community in action. We love to work with others to spread that inspired joy around.

Spokes Program: Wahi Studio will provide participants with journals to assist with mental health and programming along with offering messy art- bubble paint, dart, and flower pressing at a drop-in style program.

Cornerstone CFCU Arena

Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center, Inc. is the federally-designated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that owns Cornerstone CFCU Arena. Our mission is to combat juvenile delinquency and community deterioration, promote social welfare and physical fitness, lessen the burdens of government and promote the development of good sportsmanship through the conduct of supervised athletic games.

Cornerstone CFCU Arena was conceived by a group of dedicated civic leaders to bring a state-of-the-art facility to Lockport, New York. A strong belief of the non-profit organization is that any form of skating could turn lives around – especially young individuals, returning Veterans, and those with developmental disabilities and special needs. The addition of this community revitalization project is seen as an economic development engine that will have a substantial impact on the city of Lockport, eastern Niagara County and the Western New York region. Lockport Ice seeks to engage all members of the public and give them an opportunity to participate in a form of friendly competition. It is the vision of Lockport Ice to make our facility a shining beacon for the region; drawing young people to the various programming options offered, while providing a positive, life-changing experience.

Spokes Program: Lockport Ice Arena’s Spokes Program Liaison will offer alternative activities to keep youth engaged on dry land and/or on ice and offer supervised games, refreshments, and safe lounge space.

Kenan Center

The Kenan Center, located in Lockport, NY, is a non-profit organization registered under section 501 (c) (3). The Center boasts a rich history and attracts visitors from all corners of the globe who relish the opportunity to explore the Kenan Center campus, which features a Victorian mansion from the 1800s and exquisitely landscaped grounds that were once owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Rand Kenan, Jr. Since its official dedication in 1969, the Center has evolved from a community center that catered to the residents of Lockport, New York, to become one of the most prominent facilities in the Buffalo Niagara region for arts, education, and recreation programming. The Kenan Center campus comprises several facilities, including the Kenan House, the Kenan Center Arena, the Taylor Theater, the Kenan House Gallery, the Kenan Center Gardens, and the Montessori Preschool. The arena is home to one of the largest indoor youth soccer programs in Western New York, as well as other youth and adult sports programs, Revolution Training & Fitness Center, and a multi-use 5,800 square foot "Annex." It also serves as the venue for numerous Kenan Center events, such as 100 American Craftsmen, the Niagara Wine & Beer Tasting Fest, the Kenan Quilters' Guild biennial quilt show, as well as community events and sporting competitions.

Spokes Program: Kenan Center will provide free drop-in field time, homework space, refreshments, and access to sports, activities, and games for students.

Challenger Learning Center

The Challenger Learning Center of Lockport utilizes space exploration as a central theme to create positive learning experiences that elevate students' expectations for success and cultivate a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), thereby motivating them to pursue careers in these fields. Our programs are available year-round and cater to a diverse range of interests and ages. We are constantly developing and updating new events and programs, many of which are flexible and available during after-school hours, evenings, and weekends to accommodate busy schedules. Join us as we embark on voyages to the Moon, Mars, and beyond!

Our primary objectives are to provide hands-on, interactive educational experiences to students of all ages throughout Western New York and enhance the quality of education in the region by offering cutting-edge training, professional development opportunities, and curriculum resources for classroom teachers. Challenger Learning conducts simulated missions for school groups as a culminating experience to an interdisciplinary classroom curriculum that emphasizes Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and 21st Century Learning Skills. Our ultimate aim is to increase student interest in STEM careers by raising awareness of the opportunities available in these fields.

Spokes Program: Robotics at Challenger Learning Center.

Spotlight Studio Share

Spotlight Studio Share offers cost-effective and adaptable facilities for rehearsals, workshops, and educational purposes for artists and practitioners. Enhance your abilities by participating in our expanding range of Master Classes and Workshops. Share your knowledge with aspiring students and professionals, while simultaneously developing your enterprise with the necessary flexibility. Prepare for your performance by bringing your cast, troupe, or team to practice in our space. Join a thriving community of experts to exchange opportunities, advice, and expertise. The Spotlight community of Artist-Instructors is expanding, along with the prospects they provide for student performers and one another, both inside and outside the studio.

Spokes Program: Spotlight Studio Share will provide participants with space and a facilitator for improv activities.

Youth Mentoring Services

The Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County is dedicated to effecting positive change in the lives of children and young people, primarily through the provision of a caring adult mentor, with the aim of assisting them in realizing their full potential as responsible, productive, and compassionate members of society. YMS is committed to addressing the needs of at-risk children and youth, aged 7-19, and their families, by offering a range of activities and resources. Since 1973, YMS has expanded its services throughout Niagara County, offering both Community-Based Mentoring (one-to-one matches) and Site-Based Mentoring (group in-services). Through Community-Based Mentoring (CBM), matched youth receive additional guidance and support from a reliable and responsible volunteer. Our objective is to engage children from diverse ethnic backgrounds and disadvantaged circumstances in activities that promote their growth and development. YMS is the only youth-focused agency that serves children of all genders, county-wide, without any fees or dues. We rely solely on the support of the community to advance our mission.

Spokes Program: Game of Life - Discussions and activities that build leadership skills. Introducing youth to life lessons, relationship-building, decision-making, and budgeting. Board games, puzzles, and arts and crafts activities and supplies will be offered.