Social Change
Off the field, organizations have identified the unifying nature of soccer. They use the game as a tool of positive social change, both nationally and internationally. A wide range of groups impact people's every day's lives from education to health to sustainability. Check out what some organizations, individuals, and FIFA are doing to improve our world.
Stay tuned, soon you will be able to share information about your favorite US organization utilizing soccer as a tool of positive social change!
| MLS W.O.R.K.S. Grassroot Soccer Copa NYC Project Goal |
Urban Soccer Collaborative (USC) Soccer in the Streets U.S. Soccer Foundation Football for Hope and streetfootballworld |
USA
MLS W.O.R.K.S.
Field of influence: Various
Geographical reach: U.S. and International
U.S. Ties: Platform for U.S. men's professional soccer league's (Major League Soccer) philanthropic programs
Description: MLS W.O.R.K.S. is Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people, with a focus on health and wellness, education, respect, fair play, leadership, human rights and diversity. MLSW.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader in America for improving the lives of people through sport.
Website: http://web.mlsnet.com
Grassroot Soccer
Field of influence: Health Promotion (focus on HIV/AIDS prevention)
Geographical reach: South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and 8 other countries
U.S. Ties: American co-founders Tommy Clark, Ethan Zohn and Kirk Friedrich have been instrumental in developing the organization; organization has received significant funding from U.S. foundations; GRS works closely with MLS/WPS
Description: Founded by former professional soccer players in2002, Grassroot Soccer (GRS) trains African soccer stars, coaches,teachers, and peer educators in the world's most HIV-affected countries to deliver an interactive HIV prevention and life skills curriculum to youth. Translating research into action and leveraging the excitement around the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, GRS attracts and engages young peoplethrough schools, community outreach, and social multimedia (e.g.magazines and TV). GRS has educated more than 270,000 kids via its 'Skillz' curriculum, and is a leader in the sport for development movement.
Webpage: www.GrassrootSoccer.org
Copa NYC
Field of influence: Social Integration
Geographical reach: New York City
U.S. Ties: Based in NYC, this organization is co-founded by two Americans, Chris Noble and Spencer Dormitzer
Description: Copa NYC's mission is: "Promoting health, community and cultural awareness through sport, the ultimate goal of Copa NYC is to bring people together and to enjoy the diversities of New York City through the spectacle of soccer." By establishing the tournament as anannual celebration, Copa NYC will be able to fulfill its goals of developing an appreciation for urban soccer by creating a unique social experience that unites communities, raises cultural awareness, and celebrates diversity.
Webpage: http://www.copanyc.us/
Project Goal
Field of influence: Youth Education
Geographical reach: USA- Rhode Island and Southern New England
U.S. Ties: Project Goal's regional focus is in Southern New England in the U.S.
Description: Project Goal's mission is to "facilitate the development of New England's disadvantaged youth through after-school tutoring and soccer-related programs." By combining academic achievement with the motivation and self-discipline of sports, ProjectGoal combats problems of illiteracy, school delinquency, adolescentcrime, and obesity through after school programs for 6th-8th graders.By structuring its programs to first focus on tutoring academics, thesoccer skills training sessions that follow become a reward forexcelling in the classroom, encouraging youth to succeed in both academics as well as athletics. Each year Project GOAL's successful education programs have enabled numerous students to obtain scholarships to private schools. These same students have also been incorporated into existing local, regional, and national soccer programs at little or no cost, with one child being selected to represent the Under 14 United States National Team.
Webpage: http://www.projectgoal.org/
Urban Soccer Collaborative (USC)
Field of influence: Various
Geographical reach: United States
U.S. Ties: USC is primarily sponsored by the U.S. Soccer Foundation and it serves as an umbrella collaborative that in turn supports other soccer organizations in the United States
Description: Urban Soccer Collaborative's Mission Statement is:"To support and promote youth soccer programs in underserved communities through a cooperative platform designed to provide opportunities, resources, and standards of excellence." USC provides resources and opportunities to smaller soccer-based organizations thatmay not have been successful on their own, developing a platform and programs to help support their members' organizations.
Webpage: http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org
Soccer in the Streets
Field of influence: Youth Life Enhancement
Geographical reach: U.S. urban communities
U.S. Ties: Based in Atlanta, the organization targets U.S. underserved communities and has engaged kids in more than 75 U.S. cities
Description: Soccer in the Streets' Mission Statement is: "To create sustainable youth development programs in underserved communities that will cultivate change, progress and positiveopportunities." Soccer in the Streets links life skills with soccerskills and helps at-risk kids thrive at school and at home throughout-of-school programs, mentoring relationships, academic support andhands on experience. The "Streets' Community Program Model" developsthe next generation of community leaders who will eventually "own andoperate" the programs, provide vital infrastructure and sustainpartnerships. The foundation is based on "Positive Choice Soccer," ayear around program focused on reducing peer conflict by emphasizingteamwork and skill development and includes building facilities andrelationships with partners & volunteers. Their goal is to improvethe quality of life for at-risk children in disadvantaged areas,emphasizing education and providing kids of all skill levels andeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to enhance their lives by becomingbetter soccer players and better people.
Webpage: http://www.soccerstreets.org
U.S. Soccer Foundation
Field of influence: Health and Youth Development through the growth of the game in the USA
Geographical reach: United States
U.S. Ties: Established in 1995 after the '94 FIFA World Cup™ ; focus ison using soccer as a vehicle for social change by increasing the numberof programs available in urban communities that provide children withsafe and healthy places to Play, Grow and Learn.
Description: The U.S. Soccer Foundation's Mission Statement is:"To enhance, assist and grow the sport of soccer in the United States."The foundation does this by providing support to programs and projects,particularly in economically disadvantaged urban areas, to develop players, coaches, referees and programs, instilling confidence and teaching the value of exercise, teamwork and leadership. By providing grants and resources to underdeveloped soccer communities, the Foundation has been able to partner with other organizations to enhance playing fields and support programs that provide children with opportunities to develop on and off the playing field.
Webpage: www.ussoccerfoundation.org
FIFA
FIFA's involvement in social and environmental responsibility goes way back inhistory, but since 2005 the approach underwent a major change. That year, FIFA decided to take a more direct response to the organization's responsibility to give back to society and to the world. Before 1995, charitable actions were the cornerstone of the organizations' efforts, but in 2005, FIFA incorporated a third pillar to its mission; "Build a Better Future". With this addition, the notion to move the organizations' CSR efforts from charity to responsibility became tangible.
Football for Hope and streetfootballworld
That same year FIFA partnered with streetfootballworld, a network of non-governmental organizations that were already utilizing soccer as atool of positive social change.
Today, streetfootballworld has a total of 83 affiliated organizations/programs operating under the umbrella of Football for Hope around the World (50 countries).
FIFA is utilizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as aframework for their programs under the following five specific areas:
- Health Promotion
- Peace building
- Children's rights and education
- Anti-discrimination & social integration
- Environment
Football for Hope is not a project, program or initiative. It is a worldwide movement targeted at children and youth, focused on social development worldwide. Soccer is not only an end, but a means.
