World Refugee Day and Spring Highlights

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Today marks the 12th Annual World Refugee Day, a day with significant meaning to many SWB participants, coaches, families, and communities. Soccer Without Borders places a strong focus on engaging refugee youth in its programs to provide a safe and familiar space in which these resilient youth can heal, adapt to new surroundings, and maneuver pathways to growth, inclusion, and personal success.

Please check out our feature on World Refugee Day, in addition to Spring Highlights and exciting announcements from SWB programs in the USA and abroad. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support!

With much appreciation,

The SWB Team

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World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor the men, women, and children who have been forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, violence and conflict. According to the UN, there are 42.5 million forcibly displaced persons in the world today and 15.2 million refugees, 46% of whom are under the age of 18. Soccer Without Borders seeks to engage refugee youth and their families in our programs both in the United States and internationally.

Children's friendly game during City Cup 2012

Today, on World Refugee Day, we honor the courage, determination, and strength of our many refugee

and asylee participants and their families. Across programs, celebrations of this important day will take many forms, tournaments, panels, picnics, and skill-building games.

Soccer Without Borders in New York City was the first to hold their celebration, hosting the 2nd Annual City Cup at the KIPP Academy campus in Bronx, NY on June 16th. Co-hosted by the International Rescue Committee, the small-sided tournament featured a children's, boys, girls, and adult brackets and fun prize giveaways care of Major League Soccer in conjunction with the IRC's annual family picnic. Upcoming World Refugee Day celebrations will take place this weekend at SWB Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland.

New Domestic Programs

For the last few months, volunteers and staff have been working to support the growth of our two newest programs: Boston, MA and Chicago, IL.

SWB Boston just finished its first-ever Spring season. Twice weekly sessions for boys and girls ages 7-12 concluded with a family day on June 2nd where the players were able to show off their new skills to parents and siblings. The following week, SWB Boston supporters came out in force to play in the 2nd Annual Small Goals, Big Change Tournament, with Team "We Came to Pele" taking home the championship.

In Chicago, IL the new SWB team has spent the Spring planning and gearing up for their first-ever summer of camps with refugee youth. In partnership with local resettlement agencies, SWB Chicago will host weekend sessions throughout July and August for middle and high-school aged refugee youth.

Both of these new programs are anxious for support in all forms, including potential volunteers, partners and sponsors. If you are interested in learning more about or connecting with SWB staff at either site, click on their dove!

Other Top Stories

SWB Baltimore teams enjoyed a special visit from local refugee star Schillo.

SWB Granada completed a two-part entrepreneurship workshop.

SWB Kampala expanded its coaches training program.

SWB LA, with program partner Tiyya Foundation, road-tripped to watch the LA Galaxy.

SWB Oakland teams camped out at Slide Ranch.

Summer Programs and Events

June

Greeley Summer Programs

Girls in the Game Clinic Los Angeles

July

Chicago Clinics for girls