Causes: Children & Youth, Ethnic & Immigrant Centers, Human Services, Immigration, International, International Cultural Exchange, International Exchange, Sports, Youth Development

Mission: Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing under-served youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success.

Results: In the past year, SWB has worked with 1200 youth from 43 countries at core, seasonal and camp programs. Additionally, SWB engaged 1500 youth through outreach and one-day events. SWB’s mission of facilitating growth, inclusion and personal success for newcomer youth is made possible by the quantity of direct hours invested at our programs (average core participants spend 12-15 hours/week with SWB). That depth of programming creates a team environment where youth can experience: Growth 85% of core participants surveyed agree that because of coming to SWB they feel more comfortable expressing themselves 83% of core participants surveyed agree that because of coming to SWB they make healthier choices Inclusion 92% of core participants surveyed agree that because of coming to SWB they feel more comfortable around people who are different from them and 94% agree that because of SWB they had made new friends Personal Success In 2012, 67% of middle schoolers and 86.7% of high schoolers improved their grades at SWB Baltimore. In the same year, 47.6% of participants qualified for their schools’ honor roll. Since 2007, 94% of regular SWB USA participants have graduated high school compared to the national average of 60%.

Target demographics: SWB USA creates positive team communities for newcomer refugee, asylee and immigrant youth. Each year, close to 80,000 refugees and 500,000 immigrants arrive in the US seeking peace and a chance for a better future. Newcomer youth are one of the most vulnerable populations in the seven US cities where SWB programs operate. Not only are these youth navigating a new culture and language, their often-traumatic backgrounds create significant barriers to traditional models of academic and social “success.” The difficulty of integration is compounded by many unfortunate social realities that exist in the communities where SWB programs operate. The combination of poverty, urban violence, and cultural isolation lead many newcomer to youth to feel hopeless, with a National school drop-out rate of more than 40%. SWB International focuses on engaging populations that are traditionally excluded or marginalized, with a particular emphasis on engaging girls.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 1600

Geographic areas served: USA: Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Greeley, CO; Oakland, CA International: Granada, Nicaragua; Kampala, Uganda; Afghanistan Women's National Team; Nepal Past Programs in: Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, South Africa, Zambia, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles

Programs: USA: Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Greeley, CO; Oakland, CA International: Granada, Nicaragua; Kampala, Uganda Past Programs in: Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, South Africa, Zambia, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles