Mission: Street soccer usa, inc. Is formed for the purpose of promoting, advocating and utilizing the sport of soccer and community-based programs as vehicles to eradicate homelessness and poverty in the united states.
Programs: See schedule o in fy 2014, street soccer usa increased its offerings to youth, improved program quality, represented the us at the homeless world cup in santiago chile with men and women from our adult programs, and was selected as the international partner and first ever u. S. Representative for the street child world cup, offering youth from its programming the chance to travel abroad to compete in goodwill games in rio, brazil with at risk and homeless youth from 19 other countries. Youth programs: street soccer usa established new programming for at risk and homeless youth in san francisco, chicago, sacramento, and minneapolis. In east new york, brooklyn and in san francisco's margaret haywood park, street soccer usa built two community street soccer fields (80ftx100ft foot print) to serve youth after school in those communities. Overall, street soccer usa trained 36 coaches to deliver its program of life and job skills to over 2,000 participants nationwide. We reduced programming to 16 cities in order to increase quality. Street soccer usa also held a major event in times square for the second year, creating a dynamic awareness raising event and also inspiring and rewarding its program's participants for the achievement on and off the field.
As a coach and mentor for Street Soccer USA I have the privilege of working with homeless and at-risk individuals in San Francisco (as part of Street Soccer USA - Bay Area). Through soccer we teach life skills and build a community. We practice two times a week as a team, and each practice has a theme that applies to soccer and life. The last theme I coached was on "Control". We practiced soccer skills that help players control the game and the ball (dribbling, passing, trapping). We also talked about how we can better control our attitudes and emotions in life which will ultimately help us all make better, healthier decisions. I enjoy working with our team members, and love when one of the team members takes a positive step in their lives (getting a job, going back to school, finding permanent housing, etc). Street Soccer USA continues to be successful in "tackling" homelessness in America, and I'm proud to be a part of this organization.
