Beyond the Field - Players That Care
Research has shown that Generation Z and Generation Alpha are the most anxious generation. Anxiety and Depression diagnoses have significantly surged over the last decade and will continue in that direction post-pandemic. Thankfully, there has been an increase in the willingness to communicate and share about mental health and wellness.
Research has shown that Generation Z and Generation Alpha are the most anxious generation. Anxiety and Depression diagnoses have significantly surged over the last decade and will continue in that direction post-pandemic. Thankfully, there has been an increase in the willingness to communicate and share about mental health and wellness.
Soccer in the Streets’ demographic consists of underserved and lower-income neighborhoods that tend to feel these challenges more intensely. Our organization values the importance of the kids' overall development. With each new season, our team has a fresh opportunity to create and sustain positive relationships between youth and adults that improve soccer ability, support emotional and mental health, and collaboratively build stronger communities throughout Atlanta.
A priority for our team this year is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Previously considered as Emotional Intelligence, SEL is a unique program that taps into youths’ overall emotional and mental wellness. This process will help our players acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
This fall season will include over 900 players working together to grow in their leadership abilities on and off the field. Using soccer as a medium, trained coaches teach skills and life lessons, such as personal responsibility, self-confidence, and self-management.
Our coaches establish physically safe spaces at state of art soccer facilities where players are a part of an intentionally structured schedule for the youth. For example, two of our Southside coaches, Coach Conrad and Coach Cunningham with the 10U boys team help instill this by ending training sessions in intentional huddles. At their sessions, they focus their conversation circle around self-awareness and taking every chance to listen and learn from each other.
“The Soccer in the Streets program is phenomenal. It gives young athletes an opportunity to be a part of a team,” said Coach Cunnigham. “I enjoy being able to be a mentor for our boy’s team. It’s not only about soccer, it’s about the off-the-field life lessons too. It’s about learning and giving 100 percent effort. This program is top-notch. I am thankful for being able to lend my support.”
The impact these coaches are making is on full display when you watch their team. These young leaders are constantly supporting each other and uplifting one another.
Our team will use multiple strategies such as conversation circles, check-in meetings, and an SEL curriculum to help cultivate a culture of empathy and courage for our players and our parents. We will continue to innovate and improve our programming as we utilize evaluation tools such as HelloInsight surveys provided by Laureus Sport for Good.
In addition to creating an inclusive and meaningful experience, we will also continue to partner with community organizations such as Degree Breaking Limits Program. Players that were surveyed last spring confirmed that authentic relationships and engaging authentically with adults were essential to their overall development.
As we navigate through this need in youth development, we are bringing light to Suicide Prevention Month. This is especially important to our organization as we help kids live a healthy lifestyle on and off the field. The time spent with the kids at practice means more than just playing with a soccer ball it means building a quality relationship. A relationship with their coaches and teammates.
Our goal with the program is to promote emotional and mental awareness. This program will continue to grow as we keep track of the surveys conducted by our program managers. These surveys will guide us in the direction to successfully tap into the youth players
Soccer in the Streets grant recipient of GA 100 mini pitches
The Atlanta United Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced grants to develop eight new soccer mini-pitches as part of the second phase of the GA 100 campaign. With 12 mini-pitches now in development, the GA 100 campaign is closer to its goal to create up to 100 mini-pitches across the state leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlanta United Foundation's GA 100 Campaign Announces Phase Two Grants To Build Soccer Mini-Pitches Throughout Georgia
The Atlanta United Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced grants to develop eight new soccer mini-pitches as part of the second phase of the GA 100 campaign. With 12 mini-pitches now in development, the GA 100 campaign is closer to its goal to create up to 100 mini-pitches across the state leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlanta United Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to LISC to lead the installation of the first 20 mini-pitches across the state. With this funding, LISC – the nation’s leading community development support organization – identifies local, nonprofit, and community-based agencies wishing to build or refurbish soccer mini-pitches at schools, neighborhood parks, and other recreation spaces in Georgia neighborhoods. The local organizations receive financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of mini-pitches in their communities. The organizations then oversee the construction, maintenance, and programming of the fields.
The campaign kicked off in 2020, with awards going to four neighborhood organizations. This year, $485,000 will be directed to six organizations to build eight mini-pitches:
· Atlanta Habitat for Humanity will use its $75,000 grant to help build a mini-pitch at the Browns Mill Village affordable housing development in Southeast Atlanta.
· Soccer in the Streets’ $75,000 grant will bring a mini-pitch to the Clarkston community.
· Calvary Day School, in Savannah, will use its $75,000 grant to help install a mini-pitch at the Outdoor Education Center.
· Chapel Hill Middle School Department of Athletics, in Decatur, will receive $75,000 to help build a mini-pitch at the school.
· Sequoyah Middle School Department of Athletics, in Doraville, will use a $75,000 grant to help build a mini-pitch at the school.
· UPPER90 will receive $50,000 to refurbish a soccer mini-pitch at the English Oaks apartment complex in Clarkston; $30,000 to refurbish a mini-pitch at Clarkston’s Envision Atlanta center; and another $30,000 to build a new soccer mini-pitch at the Gwinnett Estates mobile home community in Loganville.
“We’re thrilled to be one step closer to reaching our goal of creating up to 100 mini-pitches across Georgia,” said Marco Patrie, Premium Sales Manager, and Associate Committee Member, The Atlanta United Foundation. “We want to make soccer accessible to all Georgians, not only for the obvious physical benefits but also for the community and togetherness these mini-pitches will bring.”
Applications are now open for the third phase of GA 100. Community organizations, schools, and parks and recreation departments across the state can apply for grants of up to $75,000. The grants require a minimum community local match of one dollar for every GA 100 dollar (1:1) up to $75,000.
The soccer mini-pitches, once built, will include field surface improvements, goals, fencing, and lighting. GA 100 grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.
“Safe, accessible recreation facilities are important to all communities,” said Beverly Smith, LISC’s vice president of Sports and Recreation. “Through GA 100, LISC and The Atlanta United Foundation have the opportunity to bring those critical spaces to communities and will benefit youth and families throughout the state.”
"Our communities need the GA100 initiative and we're excited to be part of it," said Soccer in the Streets Executive Director, Phil Hill. "Our kids in Clarkston live and breathe soccer but safe places to play are limited. This new mini-pitch helps us continue our work to build more equitable places for youth to thrive."
Requests for proposals (RFPs) from communities for the third phase of GA 100 grants will be accepted beginning August 9, 2021. The deadline for proposal submissions is October 29, 2021. For more information and to download the RFP, visit GA 100.
Entrepreneurs In The Making
Our youth soccer players put forth a lot of effort during their time at Soccer in the Streets. We work to help them discover their full potential on and off the field. Elvis Niyokwizera is a prime example of just that.
Elvis is originally from Tanzania and moved to the states when he was 7 years old. He then found Soccer in the Streets, which was the only affordable program he could play for that was within walking distance from his home.
Our youth soccer players put forth a lot of effort during their time at Soccer in the Streets. We work to help them discover their full potential on and off the field. Elvis Niyokwizera and Phil Jackson are prime examples of just that.
Elvis is originally from Tanzania and moved to the states when he was 7 years old. He then found Soccer in the Streets, which was the only affordable program he could play for that was within walking distance from his home.
He started at the Clarkston program when he was 15 years old and played until he graduated from Clarkston High School. While Elvis spent his time at the organization, he was also involved in the referee program.
Elvis while playing at Soccer in the Streets
““I enjoyed participating in this program because it taught me leadership skills and how to look at the game differently. I wouldn’t have been able to be in this type of program at other soccer clubs.””
A fellow teammate and member of the Clarkston Community, Phil Jackson, who also graduated from Clarkston High School, was involved in the Soccer in the Streets youth program and referee program now attends Campbellsville University.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarkston High School had a 61% graduation rate with an extraordinarily diverse student population and only 39% of that student population pursued a college degree. Of our participants who attend CHS, 95% graduated and are continuing to pursue post-secondary education or job training.
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Phil while playing at Soccer in the Streets
Our mission at Soccer in the Streets is to provide safe spaces for students from diverse backgrounds to develop as athletes, leaders, and change agents in their communities. It's essential that we guide these players down a pathway that sets them up for success in multiple areas of their lives - sport, career readiness, academics, and leadership development.
Both Elvis and Phil have proven the importance of our work. These two leaders are embarking on lifelong journeys of success as well as leaving an undeniable legacy in the Clarkston community for the next generation to follow.
After Elvis graduated from high school and left Soccer in the Streets, he furthered his career at Campbellsville University, an NAIA Division I school studying for his Business/Sports Management degree. Elvis achieved an academic scholarship and walked onto the men's soccer team. He has been with the soccer program for two years now and will be entering his junior year this upcoming fall season.
“I have worked hard to get to where I am and am thankful to be able to play on the team and keep playing soccer,” said Elvis. “It’s been a great experience so far and this past year we clinched the 2020 Regional Division Championship!”
Elvis at Campbellsville University
After graduating college Elvis hopes to own his own business one day, travel the world, and coach youth soccer.
“It has been a dream of mine to travel and be able to do the things I want to do,” said Elvis. “I also want to coach for a youth club and give back to the kids in the community. I know how important soccer has been for me growing up.”
Elvis and Phil have been gracious enough to come home throughout the summers and play with the younger Clarkston youth players and show them what it takes to be at the level he’s at now.
““If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to take every moment and opportunity you get seriously if that’s with soccer or a job. And when meeting someone always has a great first impression because you never know when it could be the last.””
We're thrilled to see two of our young players progress in their profession both on and off the field. We wish both of these players the best of luck in the future!