The team also hosts an annual fundraiser challenge match against the local sheriff's office to promote fairplay, comraderie, and cooperation between the city's homeless population and the police force. I was really curious to learn more about this program. I have to tell you, at my house, we love soccer! I was intrigued to learn that soccer is being used as a vehicle in the fight against homelessness.
Two worlds – one passion.
This summer 32 national soccer teams competed in South Africa for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Hundreds of thousands of fans in stadiums and billions of supporters in front of their TVs followed 64 hard-fought games. For one month 736 players were in global center of attention.
Among these players were true soccer icons like Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney. These young men are adored by millions of fans around the globe, they have million dollar contracts and the media are crazy about them – in short they live glamorous lives in the public eye.
At the end of July there will be another important soccer tournament – with a somewhat different background: From July 30 till August 1 two hundred homeless males and females from 20 cities across the US will compete for the Street Soccer USA CUP at Kastles Stadium in Washington DC.
These soccer players live in poverty: They are homeless and almost none come to the program with a regular job. They are playing for different goals: employment, substance abuse recovery, family reunification, a second chance. But these unknown stars have at least one thing in common with the glorified stars of the FIFA World CUP:
An overwhelming passion for soccer!
Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) uses team sports to help adults and youths (ages 15+) overcome homelessness. SSUSA continues to innovate and lead in the development of new solutions to poverty and homelessness through sports.
SSUSA is a national league of sport for social change programs in 20 cities across the country. Teams train and compete in local leagues. Players commit to change their lives by setting three, six, and 12 month personal goals. With the assistance of coaches and volunteers, each player is held accountable to meet – and even exceed – their vision for a better self.
By creating a team structure that is fun, positive, and universal, it provides participants with a family-like support group that helps build relationships of trust and stability. Each player is fundamentally challenged both by team and personal demands, expectations and accountability, helping to build character, confidence, and hope.
Research shows that SSUSA reaches more than 20% of the chronically homeless in a given service area, and realizes a 75% success rate in effecting a positive life change such as addressing a substance abuse problem or mental health issue, securing full-time employment or moving off the street. Our goal is to reach 100%.
The sense of belonging, mentorship, and structure that SSUSA programs provide can be the difference between people languishing on the street and successfully re-integrating into society. Since 2006, SSUSA annually hosts the Street Soccer USA Cup, a major sports for social change event.
People who are homeless of all ages are marginalized and socially excluded. They lack stability in any sense. The system for supporting them is a case management model, but across the country case managers are overloaded. The SSUSA model brings in sports-based mentors that help increase the capacity of case managers by building relationships of trust through the constant supportive community of the team. Our programs, tailored to homeless population, have proven effective at connecting high percentages of participants to jobs, housing, and education. We start, however, by building personal relationships. We train together, strive together, and above all else, we listen to each other. Powerful things happen when human beings put their differences aside and really communicate. This type of communication that sport can foster is a true foundation for social change.
We may not eradicate homelessness overnight through sports alone, but SSUSA will change lives, teach important lessons and build self esteem. 75% of players will move off the street within a year of joining the program. Our goal is to reach 100%.
Get Involved:
Donate to Street Soccer USA.
Get information on Volunteer opportunities.
Find a SSUSA Team in your area.
Source: Street Soccer USA.
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