What's Ahead for 2020
This past year marked our 30th anniversary and it was one to remember for Soccer in the Streets. Thirty years of service to our community is a credit to everyone out there including our staff and many of you who continue to leave a lasting mark on the 28 Atlanta communities where we work.
Soccer in the Streets Supporters,
This past year marked our 30th anniversary and it was one to remember for Soccer in the Streets. Thirty years of service to our community is a credit to everyone out there including our staff and many of you who continue to leave a lasting mark on the 32 Atlanta communities where we work.
Most importantly, it’s about our youngsters and how we can help them shape their lives. They play, they learn and they grow and often through challenging circumstances. They like all of us respond to a positive environment and succeed, given the opportunity -- all 5,000 of them.
Our programs have seen much improvement over the years. For example, we have over 500 kids in our public school program and 1,200 kids in our community programs. Over 50 youth referees participate in our leadership program which has seen two successful graduates attend college. For most of them, it is the first time they’ve had the chance to earn money and learn how to manage it. Bank of America stepped up with financial literacy training and bank accounts which were a real success (even some of the parents got involved). We have grown to field 10 girls teams, the most in the history of our program. Support from FIFA and UEFA made a lot of this possible. And over 40 licensed coaches are now at work educating our youth players to become young leaders of the metro Atlanta area. Recruiting these coaches from neighborhoods where we run programs has been a big focus. It creates a positive loop of investment.
In August, we opened our third StationSoccer location across from the East Point MARTA Station. The East Point location came to fruition through partnerships with the City of East Point, the Atlanta United Foundation, MARTA, and the Transformation Alliance, as well as two local businesses - Oz Pizza and Joel Baskin, P.C. We’ve made it a priority to work with local leaders and through the community. What’s more, we now boast the best pizza at any soccer location in the city
The vision of StationSoccer has always been to bring soccer to more kids whilst using the public transport network as the connector. Three locations are up and running and we expect to see three more in 2020. There’s a lot of work ahead, but seeing the huge effect the project has on communities spurs us on.
Along with looking forward to new locations, we should also look back at the impact the existing stations have had on their local communities. West End is a prime example where the community continues to embrace what we bring. The day we opened the station in September 2018, over 100 youth signed up. Not bad I agree. Fast forward to just over a year and we have 340 kids registered and West End United is a fully-fledged mini soccer club. There’s more to come. 2020 will see a classroom come to the station - all with a special twist, so, stay tuned! In a few year’s time, we’ll have all ten StationSoccer venues up and running in the world’s first League Of Stations: this will be truly transformational for the city.
As I look back at my time in Atlanta, it never ceases to amaze me how this city embraces the new and wants to grow. Soccer is the most recent example. Our city has been recognized globally as one that draws some of the biggest crowds in the world. Those same fans who scream and shout for AUFC week in and week out also put their time and energy to giving back through Soccer in the Streets. Whether it’s a coach, parent, adult player in one of our fundraising leagues or as a youth participant. They step up and make a difference. Thank you to the more than a hundred volunteers who dedicate their time to create a better society.
As always, I have to give a nod to the continued support of our sponsors and donors. There's no substitute for time, money and passion. The support of The Atlanta United Foundation, the City of Atlanta and MARTA continues to help drive growth. And thanks to Transformation Alliance for its grassroots support of our initiatives. I wish I could personally thank all forty or so groups that make it happen for us.
Our 30th year was one to remember. Now we look forward to our fourth decade in service to the Atlanta community. Who knows where we’ll be when we turn 40, but I’ll predict that we’ll have many more communities connected along our rail lines and people will be looking at Atlanta and asking how did they do that?
Sincerely,
Phill Hill
Executive Director
Impact in Communities
Since its founding in 1989, Soccer in the Streets has grown significantly. We have continued to connect and inspire youth by providing better access to quality soccer programs and helping to prepare them for employment. In 2019, Soccer in the Streets continued to build on its mission, impacting the lives of thousands of youth players throughout metro Atlanta. We connected communities, built vibrant spaces, cultivated young leaders and most importantly, played the beautiful game of soccer.
Since its founding in 1989, Soccer in the Streets has grown significantly. We have continued to connect and inspire youth by providing better access to quality soccer programs and helping to prepare them for employment.
In 2019, Soccer in the Streets continued to build on its mission, impacting the lives of thousands of youth players throughout metro Atlanta. We connected communities, built vibrant spaces, cultivated young leaders and most importantly, played the beautiful game of soccer. As an organization, we pride ourselves on developing young leaders so they can lead rich lives and cultivate healthy communities through sports-based youth development. We want to connect each community through the game of soccer.
Each year, we strive to further extend our impact on our local communities - from the referee program to the financial literacy program to the schools and local community programs.
Soccer in the Streets’ youth referee’s
Over the course of just two years, the referee program has seen 48 youth players become certified by the USSF. These players now have a certified skill that they can use, beyond just playing the game. As a referee, the players learn more than just the laws of the game. They learn professionalism, how to deal with players and parents, and they are paid for their work.
At the heart of the referee, the program is Jill Robbins. She leads the way for the newly certified referees and has witnessed first hand the growth of each individual.
“It’s gratifying to see the kids go from having a casual interest to becoming eager apprentices, and from there, become certified and start to work as a professional referee,” Robbins said. “Over time and as they gain experience, you get to see them increase in proficiency and confidence. They also take their responsibility seriously and appreciate the benefit they’ve received. Recognizing the benefit they have received helps instill a feeling of obligation to then help their peers as they enter the ranks of soccer officials. It’s a virtuous circle.”
Two SITS players, Elvis Niyokwizara and Phil Jackson, enrolled in the first year of the referee program so they could stay closer to the game. Then, in the fall of 2019, both these young leaders fulfilled their dreams to play soccer at the next level by enrolling at Campbellsville University, an NAIA school.
Phil Jackson ( left) & Elvis Niyokwizara (right)
As a native of Tanzania, Elvis had moved to Georgia early in his childhood. He followed his passion for the sport through regular involvement with the Soccer in the Streets organization. As an athlete, his dream is to one day become a professional soccer player. Playing at the collegiate level is the next step along his career path.
“It means a lot to me to graduate high school and attend college,” said Elvis. “I will be the first one in my family to attend college, and I want to set an example for my younger siblings as well as my teammates.”
Along with the challenges of attending college, Elvis has become a leader for his Clarkston FC team, making an impact on others through his words and actions. His advice to the younger generation is to never give up, no matter what life throws your way.
Also enrolled at Campbellsville University, Elvis’ Clarkston teammate, Phil Jackson, has a similar dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
“Ever since I was in middle school, I have dreamt of pursuing a soccer career, and I hope to keep that momentum moving forward,” said Phil. “After college, I plan to come back to the SITS program and donate my time to help the youth of the program. I have a passion for the game and want to show others that they too can pursue and achieve their goals.”
Helping youth become young leaders in their communities is not the only mission of Soccer in the Streets. We work hard to help prepare youth players with useful skills for the future. We take pride in helping guide the young players on the right pathway. These kinds of learning experiences are the foundation of our financial literacy program.
The continuing success of Soccer in the Streets also comes as a result of partnerships with community organizations. As we plant our soccer seed in metro Atlanta communities, we seek local businesses to help our youth players expand the connectivity between soccer and life skills.
StationSoccer - West End was built in 2018 as a pilot for our financial literacy program. And in the past year, we have teamed up with the local Bank of America branch in the Westside to help our youth players in the referee program open a bank account - a small but important step to helping set them on a path to succeed in life.
Bank of America has hosted three sessions that were attended by 20 of our youth players. Of the 20, six were successful in opening new bank accounts. Others in the group already had bank accounts and attended to help learn more about financial literacy.
Youth players attending our financial literacy program
“This program is excellent,” said Chiquita Jenkins, Westside Financial Manager. “The impact on these kids and on the community is life-changing. We see very clearly how Soccer in the Streets strives to help all youth players in its program, from individuals wanting to simply learn how to save for the future to the ones managing their money from the referee program. It is wonderful, and I have never seen this before.”
Soccer in the Streets impacts thousands of youth soccer players, so connecting each community in Atlanta is a key indicator of success for our organization. We help make those connections through our StationSoccer locations. In the last year, Soccer in the Streets added another community connection - East Point.
This special StationSoccer location is easily recognized by its stunning, vibrant mural. Donated by Atlanta United, the murals painted on the brick wall of an adjacent building owned by local community partner Joel M. Baskin. Across the pitch from the mural lies a well-known pizza joint, Oz Pizza.
Seventy youth players have joined the first-ever East Point community program, since the grand opening of StationSoccer - East Point in October.
“We are excited to officially join the world’s first transit soccer league,” said Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham. “This is a huge milestone for East Point that will bring vibrant activity to our downtown. StationSoccer – East Point is a destination for people of all ages to come to celebrate, connect and enjoy the game of soccer in our city.”
While StationSoccer- East Point kicked off with great success, the West End location has seen increase inactivity. At its 2018 grand opening,100 kids signed up, but we had estimated to have 250 kids in the West End program ranging from U4 to U16.
Third location, StationSoccer- East Point
“This is our thing now. This our community” said West End program manager Joel Apudo. “We have hundreds of kids now in the program that have never touched a soccer ball. It really has brought together a community that is changing, that had been overlooked.”
This is a growing community and to bring vibrant spaces to previously unused areas is eye-opening. The youth players are impacted - but so are their parents. It’s beautiful to see the community come together at this simple green space that was developed through the generous support of numerous community partners.
“It is so convenient for the young ones in the community,” said a West End mother. “To be able to hop off a train and jump right into the game -- it is perfect.”
And another mother adds:
“Our family has definitely benefited from this StationSoccer location. As a working mother, I need it to be convenient. If it was further out of this community, we wouldn’t be able to participate.”
The expectations we set each year for Soccer in the Streets are high. But for the youth players whose lives we strive to impact, meeting those expectations is a responsibility we take seriously and a goal we know we must reach. Our mission is clear, and the results we have just detailed show that we are making a difference. Onward we go into 2020, raising the bar even higher …
Corporate Giving
In Metro Atlanta, Soccer in the Streets strives to give back to the surrounding communities. As we operate three StationSoccer locations - and plan to build more - our goal is that they become second homes to the youth and adult soccer players. However, without the help of Atlanta’s corporations, none of this would be possible.
In Metro Atlanta, Soccer in the Streets strives to give back to the surrounding communities. As we operate three StationSoccer locations - and plan to build more - our goal is that they become second homes to the youth and adult soccer players. However, without the help of Atlanta’s corporations, none of this would be possible.
The list is long for those that have supported Soccer in the Streets. A few companies to highlight are CEMEX, Deloitte, and Salesforce. These three corporations have shown commitment to the StationSoccer locations and youth community programs.
Ready Mix USA, a CEMEX USA company, has become a partner over the past year for the organization and provided the foundations for both the StationSoccer- West End and East Point locations. CEMEX not only donated cement but is helping create a safe space for youth to play the beautiful game of soccer.
The concrete has been used for curbs and sidewalks for fields strategically planned near transit stations to provide easy access for children in neighborhoods.
“At CEMEX, we are always looking for opportunities to contribute to improved quality of life and wellbeing in the communities in which we live and operate,” said Alberto de Armas, CEMEX Senior Vice President – Human Resources. “We are proud to support Soccer in the Streets. Our responsible business strategy closely aligns with the organization’s mission to help youth develop employable skills and promote healthy lifestyles. Through programs like Soccer in the Streets, we can build more sustainable communities. We will continue exploring additional ways we can support Soccer in the Streets, including through our global volunteering program, CEMEX Unite.”
Deloitte, a consulting company that works with many of the world’s most admired brands, has been involved with Soccer in the Streets for two years. They have shown that they are more than a consulting company and are now leaders to the youth players in Soccer in the Streets.
A group of more than 50 Deloitte employees spent their 2019 Impact Day helping to improve our Clarkston FC facilities and providing job readiness skills by teaching our youth how to prepare for a successful job interview. Impact Day is defined as a day for collaborating with an outside organization and giving back to the community
“It was great to see the immediate impact of our work and be able to meet some of the great kids in the program,” said Deloitte Vice President of Sales Software Solutions, Rebecca Dupree, who led Impact Day. “Many of the youth players had never heard of a resume, and it was empowering to help them think about their futures.”
To improve the lives of these children and provide safe places, fundraising is a key success factor. Salesforce has done just that in many years of participating in Corporate Cup, one of four fundraising events at Soccer in the Streets benefiting the youth of Atlanta.
As one of the many corporations that raised thousands of dollars for the organization, Salesforce has taken home the fundraising trophy the past two years in a row at Corporate Cup.
"At Salesforce, we put an emphasis on giving back to our local community," said Hotchkiss. "I am so proud that my friends, family, coworkers, and business partners all came together to help us raise the most donations for Soccer in the Streets."
Salesforce as well has logged in hundreds of hours of volunteering at the community and school programs helping coach the youth players. Giving back to the kids has been a top priority for this corporation, to step out of the office and onto the pitch has been eye-opening and rewarding for the employees of Salesforce.
The collaboration and support we have received speak volumes to us the shared belief in the importance of community social responsibility and how individual employees can make a difference. As an organization, we want to give a big thanks to all the corporations and partners that have given back to the youth and helped contribute to Soccer in the Streets’ social impact soccer initiative.