Laureus Sport For Good Day
The Westside community of Atlanta came together for the “Day of Sport” on September 29th held at the Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The event was staged by the Laureus USA Foundation a nonprofit organization that shares the vision of sport as a force for positive change. Hundreds of kids from the Westside participated in a wide variety of sporting activities from lacrosse to golf and of course soccer.
The Westside community of Atlanta came together for the “Day of Sport” on September 29th held at the Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The event was staged by the Laureus USA Foundation a nonprofit organization that shares the vision of sport as a force for positive change. Hundreds of kids from the Westside participated in a wide variety of sporting activities from lacrosse to golf and of course soccer.
Overseeing the soccer activities was the staff of Soccer in the Streets. School Program Manager, Garrick Dawson and Community Program Manager, Tony Carter spent the day teaching the young athletes a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting.
“We appreciate everything that Laureus has done for our organization,” said Dawson. “Laureus has been involved with our programing for a year and a half and we are seeing the benefit of their involvement with an exponential growth in leadership development, which is one of the key pillars of our programming.”
The Westside of Atlanta continues to be a key area for Soccer in the Streets as there are programs operating in Vine City, Castleberry Hill, and the West End. The programs continue to flourish thanks to the generous funding from the Arthur M. Black Foundation.
“The goal for Soccer in the Streets and Laureus USA is continuing the collaboration and partnership to grow the sport,” said Julia M. Lankford, Atlanta Program Officer for Laureus. “We want to continue to support Soccer in the Streets in the Westside communities.”
Laureus USA believes that sport has the power to change the world, as proclaimed by their founding patron Nelson Mandela. They are a grant-making, nonprofit organization that supports the growth and deepens the impact of 50 sport and youth development organizations nationwide.
Through Sport for Good Cities initiative, they unite communities to challenge the inequities facing underserved youth through the power of sport.Their local investments in cities improve the lives of more than 350,000 kids annually. Laureus USA is a proud member of the global Laureus network, which includes nine national Laureus Sport for Good Foundations, the Laureus World Sport Academy, and the Laureus World Sports Awards.
To learn more about Laureus USA; https://bit.ly/2Ab9X76
Soccer in the Streets’ End of Year Gala
On Sunday, October 7th, Soccer in the Streets held the Black Tie Soccer Game 2018 presented by Creature Comforts. Soccer in the Streets’ end of year gala hosted family and friends. Instead of the standard banquet dinner, the participants dressed up and play soccer to raise money in support of social impact soccer initiatives benefiting thousands of underserved children in the metro Atlanta area.
Award Winners: Joel Apudo won the Napolitano Award & Ehlahd Israel won the Community Champion Award
On Sunday, October 7th, Soccer in the Streets held the Black Tie Soccer Game 2018 presented by Creature Comforts. Soccer in the Streets’ end of year gala hosted family and friends. Instead of the standard banquet dinner, the participants dressed up and play soccer to raise money in support of social impact soccer initiatives benefiting thousands of underserved children in the metro Atlanta area.
As a successful Black Tie Event, Soccer in the Streets raised $97,000. The top fundraising team was the Black Team with $34,750. During the Black Tie game, the Community Champion award and Napolitano Award were presented to Community Engagement Manager, Joel Apudo, and local West End resident, Ehlahd Israel.
The Community Champion award is presented to someone that has had a positive impact on the youth players and shows his or her ability to be a leader both on and off the field. Ehlahd Israel a West Side resident that has been involved with Soccer in the Streets for a year and a half now and was this year’s winner.
The Napolitano Award is presented to someone who embodies leadership, service and enrichment around the beautiful game. This year’s award was presented to Joel Apudo the fifth recipient. Apudo, has shown passion for the soccer players and is now a community manager in the West End.
“I have seen so many great changes in the West End community,” said Apudo. “I am so honored to be presented with this award from such a great organization! The youth development can only go up from here and I am excited to see what the future holds for these young athletes.”
All proceeds support Soccer in the Streets' free youth programs in 26 locations across metro Atlanta - including 13 elementary schools, 10 community programs, and Life Works program execution - providing social impact by using soccer as a medium to build young leaders who live rich lives and cultivate healthy communities. Soccer in the Streets impacts over 5,000 kids each year and launched the first Homeless Soccer Program in the metro Atlanta area. The organization centers its holistic programs on leadership, service and enrichment.
Black Tie Soccer Game 2018
Black Tie Soccer Game 2018 photos presented by Creature Comforts and Soccer in the Streets at the StationSoccer- West End Fields! Thanks to Dave Williams for the photos!
On Sunday, October 7th, Soccer in the Streets held the Black Tie Soccer Game 2018 presented by Creature Comforts. Soccer in the Streets’ end of year gala hosted family and friends. Instead of the standard banquet dinner, the participants dressed up and play soccer to raise money in support of social impact soccer initiatives benefiting thousands of underserved children in the metro Atlanta area.
