Atlanta United Supports Soccer in the Streets’ During COVID-19
Today the Atlanta United Foundation announced that it will be providing Soccer In The Streets funding to assist with operations during COVID19.
Atlanta United Supports Soccer in the Streets’ During COVID-19
The club gives back by offering community resources, volunteer opportunities and an operational grant to Soccer in the Streets
Today the Atlanta United Foundation announced that it will be providing Soccer In The Streets funding to assist with operations during COVID19.
“We are so fortunate to have a partner like Atlanta United during this time," said Executive Director, Phil Hill. "We recognize in times like this we have to adapt. The needs of our youth, their families and communities have significantly shifted. There is a real risk that the education of our kids will suffer through this period and we want to help. For this reason, we have launched a new creative learning program that pairs soccer skills and fun creative learning activities like reading, writing and drawing. Our coaches have a trusted place in the community and allowing them to play a positive role in building healthy bodies and healthy minds is so important ."
The program is underway and the initial response from parents and kids is really encouraging. Here’s Coach Tony providing more detail: https://youtu.be/xMxMKHeJI44
In addition to the direct support provided to Soccer In The Streets, the Atlanta United Foundation is launching the Atlanta United community resources page, found at atlutd.com/communitypartners. The page will house information on how the club and its partners are collaborating with organizations throughout the Atlanta area to offer a variety of resources such as access to food, childcare, financial relief, local ride-share, fitness opportunities and restaurants offering take-out or delivery. The resources page also outlines virtual along with safe and compliant in-person volunteering opportunities, including food packing and delivery, blood drives and cash donations.
“A core value of our club is giving back to others, whether it’s through grant giving to a valued partner like Soccer in the Streets, or providing a central place where our community can go to learn about contributing during these challenging times,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “There are many ways to give back either virtually or through safe volunteering opportunities. We hope the community resources page will help to encourage our fans to engage and support in a way that works best for them.”
Soccer In The Streets is also looking at other ways to utilize its staff and coaches to help serve the community during this period. In partnership with a local city restaurant, we will be piloting a hot meal service so we can help deliver nutrition to our kids. More is to follow, so check back in.
Soccer in the Streets Update
We are still here alive and kicking. Working face to face with our youth is off the table but we're adapting to what's needed. Our biggest concern is with the physical and mental health of our kids - many find themselves outside the home where conditions are too cramped.
Hello, Soccer in the Streets Family,
We are still here alive and kicking. Working face to face with our youth is off the table but we're adapting to what's needed. Our biggest concern is with the physical and mental health of our kids - many find themselves outside the home where conditions are too cramped.
The environment for home school learning is difficult and their parents are often not able to help when it is needed. Food supply and quality of food is also an issue. And the kids miss their coaches!
This week we will be piloting an online/phone learning program that will encourage reading, writing, and art. Our coaches will run the sessions and spice them up with homemade soccer skills videos (healthy mind and healthy body). We have 13 full-time staff and 38 part-time coaches who not only want to keep helping our communities but look to SITS for their paycheck.
We have applied for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and we'll be applying for the CARES act loans when it opens. Along with some really bad soccer analogies and reminders to the Liverpool fans that maybe the league is over, we are still smiling.
Stay optimistic. Stay kind.
Best
Phil Hill
& the team @ SITS
#AtHomeSkills
#AtHomeSkills
We are providing some at-home skills for your kids during this time. Check out the link below to view some of our coaches teaching tips and tricks your kids can do at home! You can view all of these on our social media pages as well!
#AtHomeSkills
Soccer in the Streets teamed up with DC Scores to provide #AtHomeSkills and writing assignments #ForTheKids to do while we're unable to gather and play together. This will be a fun way for them to stay engaged and connected with their coach while being part of something special. Director of Program, Tony Carter, highlights why this is important for our community.
“During this time of uncertainty, we want to continue our work as coaches to stay connected to our kids. We value the relationships a player and coach have”, said Carter. “Although those bonds were established on the field, that’s doesn’t mean the work ends with no field to play on. Just like in the game of soccer players and coaches make adjustments. Now our coaches are making the adjustment of how to help our kids to stay healthy and to continue their growth.”
We're responding to the current state of things by finding ways for our coaches to continue working with our kids in a safe and healthy environment. We're starting small and look forward to extending this new initiative to all of our children.
Interested in having your kid participate in additional soccer & reading/writing exercises? Email Tony@soccerstreets.org!
