Kicking and scoring against homelessness

Soccer legend Pele once said success is no accident; it depends on hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. Homeless people in cities across the United States are learning that lesson through a program called Street Soccer USA.

July 23, 2009; 12:00 PM • by Ryan Foray

Editor’s note: The following feature is the latest in a seven-part series on homelessness in Richmond written by students taking part in “Reporting for Print and Web,” an undergraduate journalism course led by by Jeff South, Associate Professor at VCU’s School of Mass Communications. Check back weekly for future installments.

The nonprofit group sponsors a national network of grassroots soccer teams that help the homeless and impoverished move forward in the game of life. Street Soccer USA says it offers innovative, sports-based solutions to eradicating homelessness and poverty.
Lawrence Cann, the founder of the project and a native of Richmond, said Street Soccer USA takes a fundamentally different approach than other programs in addressing homelessness.
“It is based on a very human, emotional response to seeing our brothers and sisters afflicted by poverty,” Cann said. “It is informed by years of intense work with the homeless within and outside the current system.”

Since 2004, Street Soccer USA has grown to a league of 18 cities across the country, using soccer to connect homeless teens and adults to better lives, jobs and an education. The cities include New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Richmond.

In the league, each team has four starting players and four substitutes. Games are divided into two seven-minute halves, with a one-minute break in between. Games that end in a draw finish with a sudden death shootout.

Each team is sponsored by a nonprofit organization. In Richmond, the sponsor is the Daily Planet, which provides health care and other services for homeless people. The Richmond team holds practices and information meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays in Bryan Park.
Teams throughout the country also compete in a tournament for the Street Soccer USA Cup. This year, the tournament will be held at the Washington Kastles Stadium in Washington, D.C., from July 31 to Aug. 2.

Moreover, eight players will be selected to represent Street Soccer USA in the Homeless World Cup. This international competition will take place in Milano, Italy, from Sept. 6 to 13.
No matter what the final score, Cann says everyone wins in Street Soccer USA.

“While many programs exist that help make a human connection between people of very different circumstances in life and while many programs try to provide quality of life through arts or enrichment activities to people who are homeless, Street Soccer USA is different in the following way: We use the moments of connection and enrichment as impetus for practical improvement of people’s lives,” he said.

Program officials say:

More that 75 percent of participants improve their lives, furthering their education, securing employment and housing, and reconnecting with family.
73 percent of the Homeless World Cup participants also turn their lives around. They turn away from alcohol and drugs, find jobs, reunite with families and even have gone on to become players and coaches on semi-pro or professional soccer teams.
28 of the 32 national team alumni have moved off and stayed off the street.

For more information:

Photos courtesy of Richmond Street Soccer.

Previous features in this series:

All articles featured in this series are being published with the permission of Jeffrey South, Associate Professor, School of Mass Communications, Virginia Commonwealth University.