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14 March 2012
T
he Brotherhood Crusade was one of only 13 community groups from around the country chosen last week to receive a U.S. Soccer Foundation sub-grant for its Soccer for Success program in South Los Angeles.
Soccer for Success is the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s after-school, sports-based youth development program that employs the game as a tool to combat childhood obesity, and provide nutrition education and mentorship to children in at-risk communities. It also promotes academics, family engagement, and pro-community values, including an anti-violence message.
In 2011, the U.S. Soccer Foundation was awarded a grant from the prestigious 2011 Social Innovation Fund to support programs that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce obesity rates for children in urban, underserved communities. This year, by awarding sub-grants to organizations such as the Brotherhood Crusade, Soccer for Success is expanding to serve 13 cities and over 12,000 children.
“Social innovation is an appropriate description of Soccer for Success,” said George Weaver, the administrator for the Brotherhood Crusade, “because the project goes well beyond the typical soccer curriculum. It is a holistic-community and youth-development program that helps kids build self-confidence and acquire life skills, while making our schools and recreational centers true community hubs.”
