Washington, D.C. (January 30, 2014) – The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced that it has received an award of $1.9 million in funding over two years from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, an office within the U.S. Department of Justice. Funding will be used to support the Foundation’s Soccer for Success program in seven cities nationwide. The Foundation was one of three organizations selected to receive funding under the “Group Mentoring” category in fiscal year 2013.
Soccer for Success, the Foundation’s free afterschool program, uses soccer as a tool for youth development and matches participants with trained coaches in a 15:1 child-to-mentor/coach ratio. Coaches serve as mentors and stress the importance of excelling in school and living a healthy lifestyle, while promoting the values of teamwork, leadership, discipline and respect. The program is proven to deliver positive social outcomes for children in underserved communities and is designed to deter youth from engaging or re-engaging in delinquent behavior.
Through a network of community-based partners and organizations, Soccer for Success will serve approximately 18,000 children in 25 cities across the country during the 2013-2014 program year. Beginning in spring 2014, funding from OJJDP will support existing programs in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Programs in these cities will serve a combined 3,130 additional children with a 7:1 child-to-mentor/coach ratio.
“We are thrilled to be able to expand the reach of Soccer for Success and provide additional coaches to the children in these seven communities,” said Wylie Chen, Director of Programs & Grants at the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Our coaches are crucial to the success of our program and support from OJJDP allows us to further enhance the mentor-mentee experience while engaging children in dynamic and effective programming.”
“I strongly support Soccer for Success because it is a program that makes a difference in the lives of often underserved at-risk youngsters,” said Congressman Robert Brady (D-PA). “The program not only trains young people in what is thought to be a largely suburban sport in the U.S. but it also provides mentors and works with our community based organizations, such as the Police and Athletics Leagues, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCAs and YWCAs.”
To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Soccer for Success, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org
About the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $60 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
Editor Note: For your understanding, we are a separate entity from USSF/US/U.S. Soccer. When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please refer to it by its proper name.
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