Having played soccer at The Simple Foundation herself and now a full-time professional running the Soccer for Success program at the Foundation, Afiya is on a mission to more girls involved in soccer.

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women coach-mentors who help make everyone feel valued by creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces for young people.

This group of organizations will test innovative approaches for creating sports environments that are truly inclusive and show every child that there is a safe place for them in sport.

You could say that Vanessa Spero’s decision to host a summer Soccer for Success program for children with Down syndrome was a personal one. And it benefited not only the kids in the programs, but the teen coach-mentors who had the opportunity to work with them and make lasting relationships.

I am so blessed to say that I get to do what I love for a living. Since 2017 through the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s and the Independent Health Foundation’s Soccer for Success program, I’ve been able to call one of our sites at JH Williams Park my second home and safe space.

We sat down with coach-mentors Sal and Perla to learn more about their love for the game, experiences as coach-mentors, and their goals outside of soccer.

I remember the day I was on vacation with my family in 2011 and I got a call from a staff member at East Hill Elementary school asking me to be a parent volunteer Soccer for Success. I said yes!

Recorded videos. Coloring sheets. These are just a few of the ways that coaches and staff at DC SCORES, one of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success partners, have shown their ability to adapt with the changing times.

“Thank you. I really didn’t know how a girl would feel if we, as boys, don’t treat them the way they deserve.” These words came from a 6th grade boy who participates in FLIPANY’s Soccer for Success program at Deerfield Beach Middle School.