Dear Friends,
It's hard to believe the new year is so quickly approaching! Throughout the fall months, SWB coaches and participants have been hard at work on the field, in the classroom, and in SWB community centers. Check out the highlights from our fall seasons around the world!
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of SWB!
Sincerely,
The Soccer Without Borders Team
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| Get to Know the Newest SWB Program: Greeley, Colorado
We are excited to officially announce the addition of SWB Greeley, a Seasonal Program in partnership with the Colorado Force/Storm made possible by the generosity of Lutheran Family Services. The city of Greeley is home to hundreds
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Members of the Colorado Force W-League team with program participants and mentors in Greeley
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of resettled refugees, mostly Somali and Burmese, who have landed in the city for opportunities in the industrial and agricultural sectors.Lutheran Family Services is dedicated to helping individuals and families rebuild their lives by equipping them to achieve self-sufficiency in their first year, and fostering integration into their new communities.
Using soccer as a universal language, SWB Greeley creates a space where these refugee youth can build meaningful friendships, connect community resources, and forge powerful relationships with mentor, all key factors to successfully integrating into a new environment.
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SWB Baltimore Makes Headlines in Charm City
Soccer Without Borders Baltimore has been making headlines all over town this past season, with everything from gaining full-time staff, to winning tournament championships, to being featured by Baltimore's City Council President. This past fall, SWB Baltimore had three teams: U-16, U-14, and U-12, serving refugee youth from more than 10 countries. Each team boasted their best record to date, but nothing outshines the championship journey of the U-12s at the 1st Annual Charm City Kicks Tournament.
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Coach Gina and the boys
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The boys went 3-0 and outscored their opponents 16-7 to take home the first place medals. What made it even more rewarding, the entire SWB family was involved in a variety of ways, from working as refugees, to serving as assistant coaches, to providing much needed assistance to keep our youngest team fed, quenched, and ready to play.
This season's expansion from one SWB Baltimore team to three would not have been possible without Program Director Jill Pardini being named as an Open Society Institute 2011 Fellow to expand and improve upon the program on a full-time basis. Another key addition to the SWB family is Gina Gabelia, who will officially be added as a Coach Across America staff member in January 2012. Connect with the growing SWB Baltimore! Twitter or Facebook,
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Global Peace Games in Kampala and Granada
Two Soccer Without Borders
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Global Peace Games participants in Kampala, 2011
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programs held events this fall to celebrate the 11th Annual Global Peace Games for Children and Youth. The games are celebrated in communities throughout the world on and around the United Nations' International Day of Peace. The events are meant to illuminate the power of sport in working towards peace for all participants and organizations that partake. In Kampala, Uganda participants and staff dedicated a week of activities preparing for the Global Peace Games that culminated in a match and post-game meal. In Granada, Nicaragua the games were celebrated through a day-long tournament at Managua's American Nicaraguan School.
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SWB Oakland Expands and Improves, Earning Recognition from Oakland Mayor Jean Quan
Fall 2011 saw SWB Oakland enter its
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The middle school boys team at the ABSC Jamboree, Sept 4, 2011
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fourth full year. Thanks to an exciting partnership with the Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club, we were able to add a U-16 boys team at Oakland International High School as well as solidifying and formalizing the Middle School Refugee Soccer Program. The expansion brings SWB Oakland's total number of weekly core program participants to 80 youth from 17 different countries. The U-19 Boys and U-16 Boys teams at OIHS both enjoyed undefeated seasons in the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League, with the U-16 team winning an epic final match in their first ever season. The girls team scored a record number of goals and won a record  number of games as the team continues to improve and have a great time on and off the field. In December, SWB Oakland was recognized by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan as part of the Day of Recognition, honoring the contributions of immigrants and those who serve them in Oakland.
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Small Goals, Big Change Los Angeles
by John O'BrienThe first ever Small Goals, Big Change Los Angeles was played last weekend (December 10th) thanks to the incredible organization of some handy folks. Small Goals, Big Change is a series of small-sided tournaments played in cities around the US in support of SWB programs. In 2011, Small Goals, Big Change tournaments were played in Berkeley, Boston, New York, and now Los Angeles! Playing the last game as the
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stadium lights began to shine and the sun spurned a picturesque California winter's sunset, Team "FC Fuego" took home the first SGBC LA championship. Team "Homely but...", aptly named, set the fundraising trail bestly ablaze with a record-setting effort. Over 100 people participated, and over $20,000 was raised for Soccer Without Borders! Thanks to those near and far for all of your efforts in making this event a success!
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Announcements
Would you like to live and work at an SWB international program site? Intern Applications are open for positions in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Uganda.
Upcoming Small Goals, Big Change Tournaments: Berkeley (March), San Jose (May), Boston (May). Stay tuned for details and get your teams together!
Spring Infusion in Granada, Nicaragua now taking applications
Looking for a holiday gift idea?
SWB Shirts and Scarves
Consider an End of Year Gift to SWB Donate Today!
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Looking for Ways to Get Involved? Check out our available Volunteer and Internship Opportunities! |
 | | Brittany Larson, 10-11 Guatemala Intern |
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Granada, Nicaragua Program wins Girl Effect Challenge!
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DONATE NOW!
(Click on the Dove)
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Need a Holiday Gift?
Morning Header Coffee Blend is now available from Bellingham Bay Coffee Roasters in Bellingham, WA. All Proceeds from the coffee support SWB programs!
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Thank you and Happy Holidays to our 2011 Interns, Volunteers, Coaches, Ambassadors, Supporters, and Partners!
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Volunteers in Granada, Jan 2011
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