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SSUSA on ESPN

Jobs and Education

Op-Ed Columnist - Escaping From Poverty - NYTimes.com This OP ED highlights effective strategies for fighting poverty. We would argue that homelessness, being a degree of poverty, needs the same remedies. Jobs and Education.

Ramapo Recognizes SSUSA

The Ramapo College of NJ recognized the great work everyone is doing at Street Soccer and highlighted last summers Street Soccer USA Cup in its bi-annual alumni magazine. Check is out at the bottom of the link here...

SS945 Charlotte Improves to 3-2

Street soccer 945 does it again! Taking home another win last night brings the season standings to 3-2. I arrived about 15 minutes before they took the field. It was a cool crisp evening and Street Soccer 945 was warming up. I was a little shocked at first as I had never seen so many Street Soccer 945 uniforms donned at once. I counted 14 players in all. Impressive turn out to say the least. Also in attendance, beyond the usual Watershed superfans, was a group of students from South Mecklenburg High School. Representing their soccer team and a community service group, these students not only came out and cheered but also served orange slices to the players at half-time - very cool and nostalgic!

So maybe we should talk a little about the game itself? The team really gelled, tonight, and put on a beautiful display of teamwork and ball control. Our defense was solid. Communication was solid. Offense was solid. Passing was solid (except for Pete). The team was simply solid tonight. First out the gate with a goal was Mister who popped in a nice one to the left side after receiving a great cross from Pete. And the crowd goes wild. Mister wasn't done, though, and came back a short time later to slide another goal in. Literally. After playing a pass back, Pete ran the ball up and delivered another beautiful (adequate) cross to Mister who slid at the last possible moment to sneak the ball into the goal. And the crowd goes crazy. The third and fourth goals were delivered in the second half. Bern was the source of a beautiful power shot from just over the half that made the net at the back of the goal weep in pain. And the crowd goes nuts.

Attending the Street Soccer 945 games is more than watching good soccer, it's a chance to watch transformation at work. As you witness the skills of the players increase, you are also given the opportunity to see their lives change. Regardless of the score, Street Soccer 945 will always win.

To learn more about Street Soccer 945 in Charlotte, NC or to get involved contact Brittany at blarson@urbanministrycenter.org

Tues. Night in NYC

Hi everyone, we have an amazing and free opportunity to enjoy ourselves and help Street Soccer USA, 6-9pm at Le Colonial Restaurant on E. 57th Street and Lexington.
No Cover Charge, first drink bought by our fan Venanzio Ciampa of the Promotion Factory, and specially prepared food by an amazing chef with a calling. Read below and please come out and enjoy. 40% of the bar will be donated to Street Soccer USA.

Read below:

For Xuan Pham, Executive Chef of Le Colonial, the answer is yes. Having earned professional degrees in Paris and working in pharmaceutical companies in France and California, Pham has a scientific understanding of how the body works. When a different opportunity arose, she felt she could better serve people giving them nourishing food rather than drugs.

Born and raised in Saigon, Pham has seen her share of homelessness, poverty and disease and she has a deep interest in supporting these causes. Pham is uniquely qualified to help. With a professional background in both pharmacology and cooking, Pham understands the healing nature of food and how to eat to maintain a healthy body. She is eagerly embracing SSUSA’s mission with this opportunity to make a positive contribution by providing nourishment.

Dance United

One of our advisors, Amy Farkas, of Unicef, shared this article. I thought it was great, especially the second half. Lot's of people don't know that Street Soccer USA started as an art program and that our first team was called Art Works Football Club. Indeed the power of relationships forged through shared experience is at the core of what we do. When human beings affirm each other, hope, dignity, and purpose are abundant and palpable. If recovery, achievement, progress etc. are going to take hold for those stuck in homelessness and poverty, these goals must be cast on a foundation of personal pride and purpose in life.

It no surprise to me that targeted programming around arts and sports combines creativity and discipline in a way that help participants balance the two in their own lives. I am glad we are measuring it and so thrilled that as a society we are starting to take advantage of the power of such activities to build a healthy community.

Man off the Street

I had a meeting today in midtown about the program. As I walked toward the subway a voice called out to me. It was Juan who was part of the SSNYC program and played for SSNYC in this summer's cup. He's now head doorman at the Chanel store. I actually had no idea where that store was believe it or not (even though I knew he worked there), but now I sure do. Here's a photo I snapped of Juan on the job.

SSNYC Looks For 4th Consecutive Win

After last Fridays convincing 14-7 win over formerly first place Team Denmark, SSNYC looks to defeat another first place team. Please come out this Friday and support SSNYC as they try and continued their 3 game winnning streak!!!

Date: Friday March 5

Time:11 pm

Opponent: Tokio Marine

Location: Chelsea Piers

Charlotte's Street Soccer 945 Collaborates with Troop 162

On a sunny but chilly Saturday morning in Charlotte, NC, Kevin Gassaway and Troop 162 spearheaded an effort to build walls for the outdoor Street Soccer court at the Urban Ministry Center. Thanks for all your hard work! Below, Kevin shares his experience.

Today I spent the morning at the Urban Ministry Center with the Street Soccer 945 team and with several members of my Boy Scout Troop 162. We were there building a new wall for the street soccer court since the old one was run down and not in good condition. We cut 2x8's, painted plywood, drilled nails, and put the wall together. Craig(Swagger), Jose, Justin, Osman, Fransisco, Pete, Brittany, and other members of the team helped us out with the project.

After we finished building the wall, Swagger, Pete, and Brittany talked to us about the Street Soccer program. Swagger talked about the confidence that it brought him to play soccer and how it helped him not only on the court, but off it as well. When we finished hearing about his experience in the program, we got to test the walls out with a 3 on 3 Street Soccer Tournament, while we ate lunch with the players. Each team had 2 Boy Scouts and a member of the Street Soccer team. The Czech Republic (Jose, Anthony Dellamea, and Conor Renaghan) beat Mexico (Osman, Fransisco, and Brittany) in a shootout to win the tournament. The wall passed our test and worked out very well. Hopefully it will be helpful in the future as well.

The players were all really fun to play with and taught me a lot. They would help me if I did anything wrong and encouraged me and the rest of the group to do well. My team didn't get to win the tournament, but it was still a lot of fun to get to play with Swagger and all of the other players. Today was a really fun experience and I would love to play with them again, and even help out on the team.

Check out this video to see more.

To learn more about Street Soccer 945 in Charlotte and to get involved, contact Brittany at blarson@urbanministrycenter.org

Doc Wayne League

If you like Sport for Development you must visit this link

1st in Social Entrepreneurship

At the close of the first round Street Soccer USA is positioned in 1st place, about 60 votes ahead of 2nd place in the Social Entrepreneurship Category of Change.org's Ideas to Change America.


Vote for us now, and in the general competition, round 2.

GWU Intern Abroad Chpt. 2

Hilary Moskow is a GWU student interning with Street Soccer USA and chronicling her experience with street soccer in Argentina while studying abroad there. Here's her latest:

Sergio told me that I should come on Tuesday morning at 10AM and I could meet the team then.

So, on Tuesday morning, I figured I would try to make a “good impression” and show up a little early, so I got there around 9:45. Once again, however, the park was empty. At around 10:10, I met someone named Miguel who told me that he knew Sergio and that he should be coming soon. Two more men joined us, Madeas and Cristian, and I found out that they also played on the Street Soccer team. At around 10:30, Sergio arrived. While I was a little taken aback by his lateness, I later discovered that in Argentina, it is actually considered rude to show up early. Go figure.

Sergio was wearing a shirt that read “A ball can change the world,” and by the way that these 8 teammates were looking at him, I could tell that it was true. We talked for a while and he told me all about the organization there and how they were working to change the lives of these incredible people.

After a little bit of talking, the team finally got down to business. They started with drills and asked me if I wanted to join in. Never one to turn down an offer, I did. So I played with the team for about an hour and then Sergio announced that we were going to scrimmage. So for another hour and a half, we played some street soccer. Never have I experienced a game like this, where all of the players are so serious and yet so willing to have fun with each other. Watching them play further showed me how important this organization was to them and what a difference it truly is making in the lives of these individuals.

They all have big dreams for the World Cup in Rio this September and I can tell how hard they are willing to work to succeed. I was so empowered by this experience and tonight I am going back for more- 20 minutes late this time.

Look Out . . . Here Comes "UP TOP"

Wow, we will see how this "snow training" technique translates to 90 degree weather and the fast street soccer pitch in DC.
Way to go Youthlink team. Can't wait to see you soon. You are an inspiration already!

City Snap Shots Blog cover SSNYC Win

Link to City Snaps Shot blog here, a cool blog with insider info on NYC

Here's the snapshot they took from our 11-10 victory Friday night above. That's 2 in a row and 3rd place overall in the league. Go to the blog for the post!

Street Soccer 945, Charlotte, Wins Season Opener

Wednesday night Street Soccer 945 in Charlotte, NC started off the season with a bang, defeating the Little Kickers 4-2. Passing effectively, keeping possession and finishing opportunities, the team notched their first victory. Check out this video if you missed the action. Next Wednesday Street Soccer plays at 7pm at Sports Connection off Westinghouse Blvd in Charlotte. Hope to see you there!

CHANGE-.org-ING AMERICA

The Safety Net

Embed “The Safety Net” Promo on your site:

WBGO highlights SSUSA's TK and Anthony

Link to the radio piece here

TK explains how a naive mistake made him pay for many years. Now he's doing his all to pursue his dreams. Chris and Susan talk about what volunteering means to them. Anthony explains the lack of choices one has when suddenly you lose everything.

Wonder Kid Max is a SSUSA volunteer and a whole lot more!

Munster boy's birthdays a chance to give, not just get

See the link above to read about Max's extraordinary charitable 12 years on the planet and his recent recognition.

This year, he hopes friends and family alike will open their hearts to Street Soccer USA.

Lawson chose the charitable organization after watching "Kicking It," a documentary about the soccer program which helps the homeless move forward in the game of life. He soon found out there was a team in Aurora, Ill., and has since worked out, helped coach and played with the team.

He and his mother traveled to the National Cup in Washington, D.C. They were invited by Street Soccer USA founder Lawrence Cann. Lawson has memorable accounts of the trip and spending time with players.

"I've always liked soccer and always thought that soccer could help someone somehow," he said. "Street Soccer USA is all about giving people a second chance."

2010 Winter Olympics: What about Vancouver's homeless?

2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: What about Vancouver's homeless? / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.comThe homeless population in Vancouver has doubled since the city won the bid in 2003, as residents were squeezed out of low-income housing during the Olympic real estate boom and gentrification.

SS Sacramento in action, tie 8-8.

Fairplay winners from 2009, the "Mohawks" in these orange striped Mazamba unis battled to an 8-8 tie on Thursday. 100% of Sacramento players from 2009 have moved off the street, maintained sobriety, and found employment. We are now seeking support together to maintain the program.

SSNYC wins 9-3. Pictured here is TK who anchored the team.

Just Live Soccer to Hold Tournament Benefiting SSUSA

WWW.JUSTLIVESOCCER.COM will be holding its Open and Over 30 Mens Pre-season KICK OFF Soccer Tournaments.

25% of the proceeds for the tournament will benefit Street Soccer USA!!!


When: Sunday March 7, 2010
Where: The Fields *New Sports Complex*, 8 Cornwall Court, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Info: Each team is guaranteed 3- 25 minute games with the top 2 teams from each division going into the semi-finals

For more information click here...

Our Friends in Cape Town

We had great practice and run this winter with Michael Smith, founder of From Us With Love. FUWL supports the SA street football program and . . . they produced a new film.
Check out streetball!