My Nonprofit Reviews

I wrote a review of my overall experience with SWB in 2021. The reviewed discussed my genuine interest in SWB, the program they run in Baltimore, the way they make their program feel like a community (even to volunteers like me), etc. The short and sweet story is I couldn't have found a better non-profit. They not only have a mission statement to help the local community with soccer as the backdrop, but they take efforts to follow through on that mission statement.

The story I'd briefly like to share here emphasizes one point from my overall review. SWB treats their people (paid and unpaid) like a family. In late 2021, I had my first child. Despite this new challenge, I continued with SWB. I received texts of congratulations, regular questions about how my child was doing, and this was from both the adults AND THE PLAYERS. The kids felt our SWB community was one where my child, who they've never met, was worth their conversation. Incredible, seeing as how most of them want to spend most of their time talking about soccer (shocking I know).

Bottom line, SWB is in my opinion the pinnacle of what a community-based non-profit should be. Assessible, flexible, relatable. A place that aids their community members in all aspects of their lives in the US, and makes everyone who is a part of the organization feel welcome.

In February 2022, I will be celebrating the start of my fifth year with Soccer Without Borders. I initially joined SWB as a means of reconnecting with soccer whilst having the opportunity to work with local city children. I quickly found that SWB not only provided a soccer program, but provided a culture for the local community to thrive. The work that SWB does to aid and incorporate families into the U.S. and their local community, improve the academic and verbal skills of the children under their care, and see to it that every person related to an SWB student feels welcomed and appreciated is outstanding. During my time with SWB, I've witnessed and partaken in events and activities to help foster an environment created to ensure that these children and families successfully integrate and thrive in their new environment while still maintaining connections to their cultural roots. I don't think I have the skill to paint a positive enough picture of this organization, its staff, volunteers, and participants, so I will leave my assessment at this: Had I truly viewed SWB as a means for me to connect with children through soccer, I most likely would have stayed with the organization long enough to make me a more impressive candidate for higher tiered soccer organizations in Maryland (probably one or two years). However, being with SWB is more meaningful to me than just the ability to coach a soccer team. It is a chance to truly impact my community...and the fact that I get to run around the pitch with a group of enthusiastic young players, well, that's just a very fortunate perk for me.