Street-Box™

Vision

• To kick crime and drugs out of our communities
• Put a soccer ball at the feet of every inner city and at-risk kid

Soccer In The Streets is pioneering a new concept in soccer - Street-Box™ - that is built specifically for the inner cities and the kids who live in these communities. Soccer In The Streets will provide communities with the expertise, experience and people to nurture and grow a soccer culture in the streets where they live.

Key to nurturing a soccer culture in the inner city is addressing the challenges offered by the environment. These challenges include:

• No economic means
• No transportation and no nearby facilities
• No volunteer or paid adult supervision

The Street- Box™ program addresses these challenges. By placing a safe, low-maintenance, compact facility right in the neighborhood, street soccer - similar to pick-up basketball - can flourish.

In the spring of 2002 Soccer In The Streets premiered the first Street-Box™ program in a selected community in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The model created and honed in this first implentation will be subsequently taken into two additional nearby neighborhoods. Together these three Street-Box™ communities will celebrate their success by coming together for the Street Soccer Cup to wrap-up the inaugral season.

Although the organized and supervised activities facilitated by Soccer In The Streets are an important ingredient, the ongoing availability of the facility and the community's sense of ownership will be essential for the growth of a true soccer culture. The true proof of this thriving, vital soccer culture will be the self-organized, self-directed activities of the children that take place in the Street-Box™ !

About The Box
The Street-Box™ is built on the site of unused tennis courts or similar facilities. The finished box is about the size of two side-by-side tennis courts, enclosed, with permanent goals and an all-weather playing surface.

Key Strategic Elements

• Build soccer-only facility in the community that kids can walk to
• Kick off event to celebrate and generate community support
• Weekly Street-Soccer 101 programs
• Ongoing visits by the Soccer-Bus™ with appearances by role models and mentors (professional player), soccer on video, etc.
• Street Cup Tournament and celebration three times a year

Here's What People Are Saying

"We're excited about this something new and different"
- Gene Cornett, Director, City of East Point Parks & Recreation

"Your mission on 'LET'S KICK DRUGS AND CRIME OUT OF COMMUNITIES' falls right under the Weed and Seed strategy and we look forward to working with you.
- Agnes Beltran, Operation Weed and Seed, East Point, GA.

"[The kids and I] have thoroughly enjoyed the program. It makes them think about their next move It also teaches them cooperation and emphasizes the team effort."
- Bookecia Foster, Physical Education Teacher, Atlanta Public Schools

"We need to do something to get soccer played in our inner cities. The Street-Box concept is excellent.it will benefit our sport and our communities."
-Boris Jerkunica, Chairman, Atlanta Silverbacks (Professional A-League Soccer)

"You're on to something here. Go for it."
-Jim Sheldon, Exec. Director, National Soccer Coaches Association of America

Partners

• Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation
• Northyards Community Foundation
• Women's Sports Foundation
• Community Foundation of Atlanta
• Latin American Association
• Atlanta Silverbacks
• Fulton County
• City of Atlanta / Atlanta Public Schools
• City of East Point Police
• Holy Spirit Mission and Solidarity School
• Publix Super Markets
• Georgia State Soccer Association
• US Soccer Foundation

Please Help
We need your help to make all of this possible. We are looking for donors and sponsors to bring this concept to fruition. This is an excellent opportunity for business and community leaders, as well as inspired individuals to have a significant positive impact on the lives of our children.

For more information about giving opportunities, click here, or contact Jill Robbins at 678-993-2113 or jill@soccerstreets.org.