YSF Teams Up with U.S. Soccer Foundation
YSF Teams Up with U.S. Soccer Foundation and 15 Other Ys to Positively Improve the Health and Well-Being of 1 Million Youth by 2026
Washington, DC – YMCA of San Francisco announced today that it is teaming up with 15 other YMCAS across the USA and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to increase access to soccer in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The goal of the joint campaign, The Road to 2026: Making an Impact in Local Communities, is to provide access to soccer and its health and wellness benefits to at least 1 million youth.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation and YMCA of San Francisco, alongside other participating Ys, will provide soccer programming for young people that helps develop physical, social, and emotional skills and expand safe places for them to play soccer across the country. The collaboration will include Ys offering the Foundation’s Soccer for Success after-school program and Just Ball League, where appropriate, as well as the installation of mini pitches. The Foundation and Ys will also work together to train coaches in high-quality mentorship and youth development principles to foster positive, inclusive, and safe experiences for youth.
“This joint campaign provides an opportunity to drive the change that really matters in communities—improved health and well-being of young people,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “While the world’s largest soccer event is coming back to the U.S., what is most important is that we can use that excitement and momentum around soccer to make a transformational impact on youth and communities that will last for generations to come.”
In addition to the YMCA of San Francisco 15 other Y’s across the country are participating:
Greater Austin YMCA
Greater Philadelphia YMCA
Hockomock Area YMCA
YMCA of Greater Boston
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
YMCA of Greater Houston
YMCA of Greater Kansas City
YMCA of Greater New York
YMCA of Greater Seattle
YMCA of Metro Atlanta
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
YMCA of the North
YMCA of San Francisco
YMCA of San Diego
YMCA of Silicon Valley
To launch the partnership, and in honor of Healthy Kids Day, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Ys are offering the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Coach-Mentor Training on April 28 and 30 to all branches in the partnership and celebrating the opening of a mini-pitch at the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Auburn branch on April 29th. Both the April 28th and April 30th training will be offered virtually so that other staff, volunteers, and members of partner Ys across the country can also take part. To register for the training, contact [tbd]
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About YMCA of San Francisco
The YMCA of San Francisco makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and become healthy. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the San Francisco Bay Area’s health and well-being, and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. At the YMCA of San Francisco, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to improve their lives and their community. For more information, visit http://www.ymcasf.org/
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Arnold, U.S. Soccer Foundation, [email protected]
Danielle Jones, Director of PR and Communication for the YMCA of San Francisco Association Wide [email protected]
