Our Mission

Chicago Community Sculling is dedicated to providing 100% free sculling and indoor rowing program accessibility to underserved Chicago youth. We beleive in a holistic approach to programming and support our young rowers with mentoring, educational opportunities, field trips, Summer camps, travel, regatta fees and more. As our organizations grows we plan on adding more accessible programing to competitive and master rowers AND establishing a facility dedicated to our rowers and their growth.

Our History

Chicago Community Sculling, Inc. (CCS) was incorporated in Illinois on May 29, 2019, and received confirmation of its tax-exempt status on August 6, 2019. The organization was founded by a group of master rowers who had just completed their terms on the board of Recovery on Water (ROW), a breast cancer survivor rowing program. Motivated to continue giving back to a sport that had profoundly impacted their lives, they set out to create a new initiative focused on access and inclusion.

Arshay Cooper served as both a catalyst and an early board member. His work and experience at Manley High School demonstrated the transformative power of rowing in underserved communities and inspired CCS’s mission. From the outset, CCS emphasized sculling rather than sweep rowing as a key differentiator among Chicago programs. Sculling promotes symmetry, which is especially beneficial for youth athletes whose bodies are still developing, and allows for a stronger focus on technical skill development through the use of smaller boats.

Like many organizations, CCS faced significant early challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed programming nationwide. Initial plans to launch at Roberto Clemente High School were postponed despite promising support from school leadership. At the same time, efforts to secure a permanent boathouse—including potential sites at North Avenue Bridge and Lincoln Yards—were unsuccessful. CCS has since benefited from the generosity of the Chicago Rowing Foundation, which has provided access to the Weed Street Boathouse. However, securing expanded, dedicated space remains critical to the organization’s long-term growth.

CCS programming gained real traction through a partnership with Chicago Hope Academy (CHA) on Chicago’s west side. A key advocate, Traci Melcher—a former rower with a deeply rooted family connection to the sport—helped introduce indoor rowing programs at the school. While CHA’s already robust athletics programs made it challenging to attract widespread participation in rowing, the partnership proved instrumental in establishing CCS’s presence.

Building on that momentum, CCS expanded to Altus Academy, a nearby K–8 school with no existing sports programming. The response from students, parents, and school leadership was overwhelmingly positive. Through Altus, CCS found a strong and engaged community, and participation quickly grew. Because Altus students already traveled to CHA for physical education, the connection between the two schools created a natural pipeline for CCS programming.

Today, CCS offers both indoor and on-water rowing opportunities for students in grades 5–8. Participants have competed in events such as the Tiro Cup, Tough Cup, and Cup of Joe, gaining valuable exposure to competition and teamwork. Beyond athletics, CCS incorporates field trips and enrichment activities aligned with its broader mission: expanding horizons and creating opportunities. The organization believes deeply that “you can’t be what you can’t see,” and works to provide students with role models and experiences that inspire future possibilities.

• Sculling is foundational to rowing fundamentals and training. It’s better for children as it’s symmetrical training

• CSS is the only sculling organization dedicated 100% to underserved middle school youth in Chicago

• Our leadership, board and coaches are rowers, members of US Rowing and dedicated to equity in rowing

• There are over 400 Middle Schools in Chicago, with over 100K students in 4th to 8th grades. 73% are economically disadvantaged

• Arts & Sports funding has been dramatically decreased over the last decade and rowing has not been a viable option

A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund is committed to unlocking the potential within diverse and underserved youth by introducing them to the transformative sport of rowing. They aim to equip young people with the tools to become champions in their communities, on the water, and in life.

Learn more about AMBTIF and Arshay Cooper

“Opportunity doesn’t wait until you feel ready. It opens when you step forward. And when we step forward together, we all become stronger.” Arshay Cooper

Chicago Community Sculling is proud to support the United We Row initiative which focuses focuses on supporting rowing programs, coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in advancing the sport of rowing to grow their programs.  It represents the power of rowing to bridge divides, unite athletes across differences, and push the community forward. 

United We Row is the commitment by the USRowing team to make rowing a place where the rowing community feels a sense of belonging and valued as unique individuals. Programs include grants, coach and athlete scholarships, educational opportunities, events, and mentorship.

United We Row is about breaking down barriers and retaining rowers across all facets of what we do -- from membership to competition to high performance. We encourage the rowing community to join us in creating a seat in the boat for everyone.