IN THE KNOW: JUNE 2015
It’s been a busy month so far – a World Cup Watch Party, the release of our ground-breaking study, new grantees announced, and more! Check it out!
2015 Women’s World Cup Watch Party
On June 8th, we joined the Embassy of Australia in hosting a public watch party at CityCenterDC for the USA vs. Australia match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The event celebrated the Women’s World Cup and the positive impact of women in sports on young girls. An exciting game, combined with some dramatic weather, kept the audience at the edge of their seats. The U.S. Women’s National Team came away with a 3-1 win! Donations and proceeds from the event helped us provide children in underserved communities with life-changing programming. To see scenes from the party, browse our photo album!
Soccer for Success – An Innovative Solution
Earlier this month, we proudly announced the results of a year-long evaluation of our Soccer for Success program. Based upon work supported by the Social Innovation Fund, the study found that children enrolled in Soccer for Success experience statistically significantly greater health improvements in several categories in comparison to children enrolled in other similar after school programs. Such results call for the expansion of Soccer for Success as a powerful tool in combating childhood obesity.
“With this impact study, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has identified an innovative solution of using soccer to address a growing public health issue among youth and provides the evidence and impact behind its success.” – Lois Nembhard, Acting Director of the Social Innovation Fund Dig into the evaluation brief to learn how Soccer for Success makes a true difference.
Sports: A Game-Changer for Young Girls
Leadership, confidence, and discipline: these were some of the themes that came up on Tuesday, June 16th, when we joined Women’s Policy Inc. on Capitol Hill to talk about the powerful influence sport can have on young girls. The event, made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, featured a Soccer for Success coach-mentor from LA, local Soccer for Success participant from DC SCORES, U.S. Women’s National Team and Washington Spirit player Crystal Dunn and members of Congress, among others. Each speaker offered a unique perspective and inspiring personal story about how sport changed her life.
Change a Life
Your donation helps provide a child with soccer gear, an inspiring coach-mentor, and a safe place to play, learn, and grow.
The Symposium Turns 10!
Mark your calendar for the 10th annual Urban Soccer Symposium! Join hundreds of urban soccer programmers and speakers from across the country for an inspiring and invigorating conference on sport for youth development. Stay tuned for more details!
Nearly $450,000 Granted to Sport for Social Change Organizations
We recently awarded 12 grants totaling nearly $450,000 to non-profit organizations across the country to benefit youth development. The awards support both sports-based youth development programming and the transformation of play spaces in underserved communities nationwide. Learn more and see the full list of grant recipients.
