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Soccer In The Streets' Mission is . . .
To teach less advantaged kids to make positive choices in life so as to better themselves, their families and communities through soccer.
What is Soccer In The Streets?
Soccer In The Streets® is an Atlanta based nationwide non-profit organization that develops soccer, educational and life-skills program for "at-risk" kids in urban communities. Since its inception in 1989, Soccer In The Streets has positively changed the lives of over 100,000 urban kids in more than 75 U.S. cities. The experience and skills learned through Soccer In The Streets programs better prepare youth for life and create further opportunities in the field of soccer and academia. In addition, the program helps identify potentially gifted players who can be nurtured to reach the highest levels of soccer and academic achievement. Soccer In The Streets is committed to building the life of kids and their families through soccer and improving the quality of life in the heart of the country's urban communities and making it a true sport for all regardless of ethnic or economic background.
Our Vision:
- Soccer In The Streets is committed to putting a soccer ball within reach of every less advantaged child and changing lives through soccer, making it a true sport for all regardless of ethnic or economic background.
- Soccer In The Streets will promote education, positive values and personal responsibility, and will kick drugs and crime out of distressed communities by teaching "at-risk" kids and their families how to live a more positive life through soccer.
- Soccer In The Streets will benefit the sport of soccer by developing comprehensive and inclusive programs (Urban Soccer Model) that support total integration and representation of the diversity of each community.
The Urban Soccer Model: An Innovative Approach developed by Soccer In The Streets
Soccer In The Streets has developed the Urban Soccer Model based upon the following values :
- Consistency - Soccer should not 'blow in, blow up and blow out' like the circus, we're here for the long run, week in and week out
- Sustainability - Soccer becomes a part of a community's culture and is 'owned and operated' by the community
- Quality - Soccer produces measurable outcomes that positively affect a community and is delivered by qualified staff
Key components go into building a sustainable community-based soccer program for at-risk children in disadvantaged communities. The comprehensive Urban Soccer Model provides a setting in which all children and their families can find a place, while all skill levels, both and off the soccer field, can be nurtured through the program's progression, in spite of obstacles they may face.
The Urban Soccer Model incorporates the following essential components:
- LIFE SKILLS - A foundation program - Positive-Choice SoccerT , which incorporates life skills with soccer skills, has been developed especially for at-risk kids
- FACILITIES - We build an all-weather "urban soccer" facility, tailored to the needs of a community in the neighborhood where children live and play, creating a safe place that is a focal point for soccer activities
- SOMEWHERE TO GROW - Programs grow with the participants . pick up games, tournaments and league play facilitate interaction with other groups from different backgrounds, providing exposure and reinforcing social skills development; kids progress and become role models through incentives, rewards, publicity and by taking advantage of advanced opportunities
The underlying message of Soccer In The Streets is that kids' lives can be changed for the better through soccer. ("No Drugs, No Crime . Just Soccer!")
How Soccer In The Streets programs impact a community:
- Prior to implementing the Soccer In The Streets " Positive-Choice Soccer " program, the kids often demonstrated poor discipline, poor behavior and disrespect amongst one another. Over an 18-week program at the East Point location, peer conflict among the kids decreased by 81%. At the outset, three out of five youth had difficulty interacting with their peers without conflict, while only 1 in 8 exhibited the same tendencies at the end of the 18-week implementation.
- Correspondingly, incidents of non-compliance and defiance towards adults experienced a 75% decline. Examples of non-compliance include but are not limited to the kids not following directions, arguing with adults, belligerence, rolling of the eyes, etc. Less than one in seven kids exhibited a disregard for the rules and the coaches implementing them by the end of the program.
- Soccer In The Streets defines teamwork as one who encourages others, or one who takes the time to help develop the skills of another player. Over the course of the four and a half-month program at East Point , an astonishing growth of 55% was accounted for in teamwork. One out of three kids learned that helping others not only encourages someone to keep trying, it also makes the entire team a little stronger.
- Although there are an abundance of ways to define someone's character, in a team situation, leadership tends to evolve rather early. Nearing the end of the eighteen week program, 40% more of the kids wanted to help set up the practice area, gather and prepare equipment, and even assist in coaching or officiating.
Soccer In The Streets assists in building healthier children, families and neighborhoods, and has the ability to tailor the program to fit the needs of any community. If you or your organization is interested in introducing youth to Soccer In The Streets and its Positive-Choice Soccer program, look us up at www.soccerstreets.org.
Contact information:
Jill Robbins, Executive Director
2323 Perimeter Park Drive NE
Atlanta , GA 30341
Phone: 678.992.2113 -or- 770.265.5702
Email: jill@soccerstreets.org
Website: www.soccerstreets.org
National Board of Directors:
Chairman- Phil Hill
Email - philhill@soccerstreets.org
Members-
Clay Berling, Soccer America
Marilyn Childress, Women's Intersport Network
Boris Jerkunica, Atlanta Silverbacks
Jeanne Mannings, Atlanta Public Schools
Pam Williamson, consultant
Patrick Jones, Journey Productions
Marshall Orson,
Melbourne Partners
Program Directors | Partners
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