What Is Juneteenth? And Why We Just Made It a Company Holiday.
As an organization, we are recognizing Juneteenth which is also known as Freedom Day. With tragic events continuing to happen in the world today, we want to highlight this holiday even more than before to help educate and uplift others so we can continue to build toward a more equitable society. We will use this day to celebrate the end of slavery while honoring the culture and achievements of African Americans.
As an organization, we are recognizing Juneteenth which is also known as Freedom Day. With tragic events continuing to happen in the world today, we want to highlight this holiday even more than before to help educate and uplift others so we can continue to build toward a more equitable society. We will use this day to celebrate the end of slavery while honoring the culture and achievements of African Americans.
Juneteenth is a celebrated commemoration of June 19, 1865. On that date, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, TX with news that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free.
Here’s how Juneteenth.com describes the holiday:
“It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement, and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue.”
“In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities, and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.
Soccer in the Streets is recognizing this day as a paid holiday for staff and we encourage everyone to ask their employer to do the same. We hope others will use this as an opportunity to celebrate freedom, educate one’s self and take action to support marginalized communities while recognizing that we still have a long way to go before we have true equality in America.
“This was a simple yet meaningful action we could take as an organization to not only recognize what continues to happen in our communities but to use it as an opportunity to educate and uplift others,” said Phil Hill, Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets.
“I know it’s just the beginning of more meaningful actions we can take to continue addressing issues of inequality and injustice that we see far too often in the communities we serve.”
Due to COVID-19, the Juneteenth Festival in Atlanta has been postponed till August. There will still be a march on Friday, June 19th. Follow the link for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about this important day check out some of the resources below:
Articles:
AJC: 6 facts about Juneteenth, which marks the last day of slavery
Forbes: No More Excuses - It’s Time to Declare Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
National Museum of American History & Culture: The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
NY Times: Trying to Parent My Black Teenagers Through Protest and Pandemic
Videos:
Public Transport Becomes Lifeblood for West End Grandmother
Social mobility has always been one of the goals at StationSoccer - Cheryl Gordon, a West End grandmother, and her 6-year-old grandson Carter take the MARTA bus from their home to the StationSoccer-West End pitch for practices and games.
West End grandmother Cheryl and grandson Carter exiting the MARTA bus for youth practice
Social mobility has always been one of the goals at StationSoccer - Cheryl Gordon, a West End grandmother, and her 6-year-old grandson Carter take the MARTA bus from their home to the StationSoccer-West End pitch for practices and games.
Carter's mother learned about Soccer in the Streets online and instantly wanted to be a part of it. He has been a member of the West End youth program for over a year. She wanted her sons to be a part of this particular soccer program because it is in their neighborhood.
“This program fits perfectly with their needs. His mother is working all day and throughout the afternoon so I'm able to step in and take him on the MARTA bus which is not even a block away from our house,” said Cheryl. “Then we are able to walk straight to the fields without any issues. The fields couldn’t get closer to the people in the community than being located at the MARTA Station.”
Cheryl and Carter at West End youth practice
This specific route has proved to be safe and exactly what this family needs to be able to attend practice for the Soccer in the Streets youth program.
Public transport is the lifeblood for many of our communities in being able to work, live and play! Through our partnership with Atlanta United Foundation, the City of Atlanta Planning Department, Transformation Alliance, MARTA and a host of other community partners we are able to provide safe spaces for soccer programs that are connected. The bus and train network provides a key answer to the transportation hurdle to so many underserved youth across the country.
Looking forward, we are excited to provide programs at more stations and connect more families like the Gordon’s, who will now be able to also travel to other StationSoccer locations via MARTA and play against other communities.
“The fields are beautiful and this space used to be empty and useless. Now it’s turned into a sanctuary for the kids and community,” said Gordon.
This program means a lot to the West End family, and now that the MARTA bus routes are back up and running, Carter can play soccer and hang out with his friends. If you take the bus or the train, we want to ensure that all children in metro Atlanta have the same opportunity.
Click here below to learn more about our youth programs and the MARTA bus routes. Join us in using MARTA!
Westside Program Flourishes In The Last Year
Vine City, two miles west of Downtown Atlanta, has long been a part of Soccer in the Streets due to its proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United. We've brought in kids from the local areas to participate in a diverse soccer program. Vine City Youth Program has become a second home for many young players, including children of various ethnicities and ages.
Vine City, two miles west of Downtown Atlanta, has long been a part of Soccer in the Streets due to its proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United. We've brought in kids from the local areas to participate in a diverse soccer program. Vine City Youth Program has become a second home for many young players, including children of various ethnicities and ages.
This particular curriculum has flourished in the last year, with an influx of children enrolling. In previous years, the program had 15-20 children, but now it has 60.
One in particular that has been around for years is Angelica, a U16 girls program participant. She has been a part of the program since she was four years old.
Vine City Player, Angelica defending player during practice
“I have really enjoyed my time with this program and all that it has to offer,” said Angelica. “I have made many friends within the program and am thankful to have the opportunity to get outside and play in a safe environment.”
As the program has grown, it has relocated from Vine City Park to JFK Park, where they can play on a turf field with plenty of room.
“This field has become my second home and the coaches have become role models,” said Angelica. “I currently play with a co-ed team but that doesn’t stop me from playing with the guys. I’ve adapted and built a great skill set playing against them.”
The field serves as a haven not only for the players but also for the coaches. They've made a lot of progress over the years in terms of leading and directing young players in the right direction.
Vine City Program Manager, Sean Irving, has seen just that as he has led this program for two years now.
“Enthusiasm for our program has grown a lot in the last few seasons. We had just set a registration record before the pandemic hit. Our momentum got derailed a bit during quarantine but now we are back on track. Our core group has grown a lot. I can see the foundation of a lasting community club starting to solidify,” said Irving.
Coach Irving with players at practice
“The rise in numbers has not really affected their attitudes. Strong participation makes it easier for me to recruit new players and retain old ones. However, We still are working through familiar issues with our players. Sportsmanship, self-control, focus, and self-discipline are our biggest challenges.”
Irving has pushed his players to adapt and develop. The goal is to develop young community leaders who can serve as role models for children of all ages.
“We are working to build and promote a strong soccer culture around the whole westside. I envision marrying soccer culture with Atlanta sports culture to help grow the sport. Imagine team parades on Marta, ATL-centric team chants & songs, community pride soccer gear, and drumline battles at halftime!” Irving continues, “I also want to start organizing community youth tailgate parties for Atlanta United and other pro soccer matches. If we can create a strong culture around the sport we can eventually compete with football & basketball.”
This program will skyrocket in success. Irving and the other coaches will keep working hard to keep the players involved in soccer activities, which will keep their minds off the streets and help them grow their character.
