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PLAY IT FORWARD 2024
¡FUERZA DEL JUEGO!
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The circumstances that lead to migration are usually out of a young person's control. And often, building a new home in a new place comes with a number of immediate challenges – sometimes, these challenges can feel insurmountable.
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Soccer Without Borders works with young people to overcome these challenges.
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We leverage soccer, the world's global language, to create a safe and welcoming space where young people have the chance to play soccer, find community, build friendships, receive language and academic support, connect to local resources, and much more.
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We know that the POWER OF PLAY heals, connects, and empowers.
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This Play It Forward, will you be an SWB Superhero by investing in hope, unity, and the power of soccer?
For newcomer youth, big changes come with big challenges, but we believe that every young person has the ability to overcome. From language and education to isolation and mental health, the game of soccer is a superpower – the
power of play transforms obstacles into opportunities.
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According to our friends at sportanddev.org and the Refugee Sports Coalition, safe, purposefully-designed sports programs have the power to break down cultural barriers, improve physical and mental health, and create opportunities for more socially cohesive communities.​
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SWB helps young people become superheroes of their own—empowering them with tools to overcome challenges, build lasting connections, and become leaders and change makers in their communities.
LEARNING
The Barrier: Struggling with English speaking and comprehension makes it difficult for newcomers to make friends and can make them a target for bullying
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SWB Solution: English Language Learners receive 8-15 hours of language practice outside of school. Activities take place in a variety of different contexts, maximizing exposure to vocabulary.
ISOLATION
The Barrier: Loneliness and isolation is a factor within most studies on refugee health. Language skill, discrimination, and poverty can contribute to social isolation.
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SWB Solution: SWB coaches utilize a variety of trauma-informed, evidence-based tools and strategies to make sure that every participant feels seen, connected, and valued.
The Barrier: ELL students in the USA graduate from HS at a rate of 71.8% as compared to the overall national rate of 87% for all students.
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SWB Solution: SWB maintains a 100% high school graduation rate for regular participants in our Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nicaragua hubs.
HEALTH
The Barrier: A refugee adolescent in the US is up to 12x more likely than a native-born peer to experience major depression.
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SWB Solution: Mentoring relationships can have a significant impact on psychosocial development. In FY24 alone, there were 5607 total activities held across all SWB programs.
Click to Make a Donation to SWB
Every newcomer is a hero on a journey, with powerful stories of hope, triumph, and resilience to share.
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Throughout Play It Forward, you'll meet a current SWB participant who, in their own words, reveal how soccer has helped them overcome challenges and build a brighter tomorrow.
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Step into the SWB Universe, where every newcomer has powerful stories to tell!
Each week, a new issue unfolds a powerful story of resilience, following our participants as they navigate the challenges of language, education, isolation, and mental health—emerging stronger each time.
Discover how soccer serves as the ultimate superpower, helping them rise and inspire us all.
Click to Make a Donation to SWB
In a world that too often divides, soccer has the power to unite. Your investment maintains a place of safety, belonging, & positive growth for newcomer youth through soccer, education, and holistic wellness.​
​Will you be an SWB Superhero by investing in hope today?
(Click a link below)
Not all heroes wear capes, but all superheroes sure do look good in SWB merch ! Just in time for the holiday season, you can support our mission while repping SWB on the pitch, on the sidelines, and around your community!
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Every time you make a purchase from this store, all the proceeds will go in support of our work using soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success.
Click blow to use a search box to see if your employer will match your donation! It is an easy way to make an even bigger impact with your giving.
If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to this nonprofit directly from your DAF (as long as your DAF's sponsoring organization is participating).
Send a check made payable to "Soccer Without Borders" to the address shown on the right. Don't forget to include any dedication or directed donation in the memo!
We’re calling on all Goal Getters to help us bring the joy of soccer to underserved communities across the globe! With your support, we can help equip young people who are eager to learn and play.
COMING SOON!