Soccer Without Borders

Description

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Boston is a free, year-round youth development program that uses soccer as vehicle for positive change in the lives of newcomer refugee, immigrant and asylee youth in East Boston. Youth and families hail from 10+ countries in Latin America and Northern Africa, now working to adapt to new life in the United States. The isolation of newcomer families leaves them disproportionately at risk for childhood obesity, academic failure, gang involvement and other unhealthy behaviors. For newcomer youth, the soccer field is a familiar, welcoming space; the SWB program leverages this universal language and the interpersonal safety net of a team to create pathways to success. Our program is designed to enable participants to advance academically, grow personally, make healthy lifestyle choices, build social capital, and develop language skills.