MLS kicks in to support Soccer in the Streets and the Latin American Association Partnership
Sequoyah Middle School is the proud, new beneficiary of a refurbished soccer facility thanks to MLS WORKS. The social and community relations arm of MLS came to Atlanta in August as part of the Campeones Cup Community Project to officially open the facility. The Latin American Association (LAA) youth mentorship program and Soccer in the Streets will use the facility for a new after-school soccer program. The new facility includes a freshly sodded soccer field, with soccer lines, new goals, and equipment. A mural by local artist Thomas Turner celebrates the community and commemorates the Campeones Cup.
The opening ceremony featured a community flare with players from the reigning MLS champion Atlanta United and Club America from Liga MX welcoming the kids with inspirational words and then conducting training exercises.
The LAA and Soccer in the Streets have partnered to pursue leadership development and after-school soccer programs. In addition to Sequoyah Middle School and Cross Keys School in the Buford Highway Corridor will benefit from the program. The Brookhaven area is experiencing significant growth of its soccer programs, and Soccer in the Streets is proud to be a part of that growth.
“This partnership is a groundbreaking way to approach youth development because we are combining students’ passion for soccer with leadership programming tailored to their experiences as immigrants or first-generation students,” said LAA Managing Director of Education Eliezer Velez. “The program will have a profound impact and will empower our students to become leaders, develop career goals and achieve higher education.”
Soccer in the Streets focuses on leadership and character development while using soccer as a medium. The vision of the partnership with the LAA is to improve student achievement across three areas: attendance, behavior, and grades. Along with delivering targeted support to address non-academic needs enabling children to be more ready to learn.
“To have this partnership with the LAA is important for our organization,” said Soccer in the Streets Executive Director Phil Hill. “We know this will have a big impact on the kids so they can have a safe place to play in the Buford Highway area which is already a strong soccer community.”
