For more on Soccer in the Streets, go to www.soccerstreets.org. Go to www.blacktiesoccergame.com to learn more about the nonprofit's fundraiser.
Most people think of soccer as a game. Soccer in the Streets views it as so much more. The Atlanta nonprofit began 25 years ago — before soccer was the rage here — as a vehicle to help kids from underserved neighborhoods become stars in life.
“We use soccer not only to get kids active, but as a way to teach them character development and employability, “ said Jason Longshore, the nonprofit’s chief development officer.
This year, Soccer in the Streets is on target to serve some 1,900 kids. Longshore talked about other exciting things going on at the nonprofit, including establishing the first youth soccer league on the city’s westside and the upcoming Oct. 5 annual fundraiser — a soccer game played in tuxes and ball gowns.
Q: How does soccer help kids succeed in life?
A: It is the sport that can probably do it best. The coaches prepare the team but the players make the decisions on the field. There’s a lot of problem solving and creativity built into soccer. And self-confidence is huge. Those are things that are really important to be successful off the field.
Q: Where do the coaches come from?
A: Over half of our coaches are graduates of our program. All of our coaches are paid to ensure consistency for the kids. The coaches have to be mentors to the kids as well, and consistency builds that relationship.
Q: What you do teach kids?
A: With our young elementary school students, it is all about getting them active and playing. As they get older, we use soccer as a way to develop skills like respect and teamwork and perseverance. So many of the kids we work with don’t think of a life outside of their neighborhood. We set up field trips to introduce them to opportunities they might not know about — a college or a company’s workplace. Once the kids get into high school, we try to get them practical hands on job experience through the program. They can help coach younger kids or referee.
Q: You actually have kids that stay with you through all those phases?
A: We do. We feel the more hours we are able to spend with our kids, on the field or off, the better chance they can be positively affected by our coaches, mentors, the workshops we provide.
Q: Anything new going on at Soccer in the Streets?
A: We are starting the first youth soccer league at the John Hope Community Center in conjunction with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. This was a big emphasis for the foundation, being that the neighborhood is in the shadow of the new stadium where Atlanta’s new major league soccer team will play. The other new program is at The Intown Academy, an Atlanta Public School charter school in the Old Fourth Ward. Over 100 kids signed up for the program, which is one of our larger initial signups. With both programs, we want kids to be able to play in their own neighborhoods. It helps them take pride in the neighborhood and ownership in the program.
Q: Can you talk about your fundraiser?
A: This is our sixth annual black tie soccer game. Somebody had seen the Monty Python philosophers’ soccer sketch and said a black tie game is not all that crazy. The first year we raised $20,000. Last year, we raised over $55,000. It’s just a fun day out at Grady High School Stadium and people can play or watch. It’s also a chance to meet some of the kids who have been through the program.
