America SCORES went to the World Cup in Moscow! That’s right — while the U.S. Men’s National Team wasn't in Russia, a special group of young women represented the United States at the Street Child World Cup in Russia May 10-18, making a difference in doing so. Nine America SCORES alumnae from Washington, DC, ages 14-17, donned the red, white and blue in Moscow.
The team's participation was made possible by the National Network for Youth. All of the girls continue to play soccer through Open Goal Project, a fiscally sponsored project of DC SCORES. They were joined in Moscow by DC SCORES staff member Lindsey Sharp and Open Goal Project coach Amir Lowery.
The girls were honored and recognized by the DC City Council in June.
- View the recap video made by Jess, one of the girls HERE
- Read the article in The Afro HERE
- Men in Blazers shout-out! (scroll to bottom)
- Read the press release HERE
- Read the press release about the May 9 send-off HERE
- View and download photos HERE
- Meet the team members below the video
- Contact Michael Holstein for all press inquiries
- Download the America SCORES logo HERE
MEET THE TEAM!
Becky Sauerbrunn, Team Ambassador
We are excited to have Becky Sauerbrunn as an ambassador of the team. Sauerbrunn has a storied soccer career with the US women’s national team, as a FIFA World Cup winner, and as an Olympic gold medalist. “I’m honored to support these girls at the Street Child World Cup 2018," Sauerbrunn said. "They will proudly represent our nation, harnessing their love of soccer to raise awareness and dialogue for US youth at risk of homelessness. Their voices matter. Congratulations to America SCORES and the National Network for Youth for partnering to give these girls the platform they truly deserve.”
What Others are Saying
Darla Bardine, Executive Director of the National Network for Youth:
“We are honored to take this team to the Street Child World Cup to give these incredible young women a platform to elevate the urgent and unique needs of young people at-risk of and experiencing homelessness here in America. No young person should be homeless and hungry.“
Bethany Rubin Henderson, Executive Director of America SCORES:
“This is truly an incredible opportunity for these nine young women and a testament to America SCORES’ mission to give kids a voice and empower them to be leaders in their communities. We are grateful to the National Network for Youth and Street Child United for making this a reality and to Open Goal Project for coaching this team.”
About the Causes
About Street Child World Cup (SCWC):
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Street Child World Cup is a soccer tournament, festival of arts, and a conference for the rights of children at risk of homelessness across the world. On the pitch both over 230 girls and boys, represented 24 national teams and played to change the negative perceptions and treatment of homeless youth everywhere. Off the pitch, their voices are being heard, calling for the rights of millions of children at risk worldwide. In 2018, the Street Child World Cup took place 10-18 May, in Moscow, Russia. “I know from personal experience just what power soccer can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality,” David Beckham said. “This is what the Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support.” Learn more.
About National Network for Youth (NN4Y):
The National Network for Youth has been a public education and policy advocacy organization dedicated to the prevention and eradication of youth homelessness in America for over 40 years. As the largest and most diverse network of its kind, NN4Y mobilizes over 300 members and affiliates — organizations that work on the front lines every day to provide prevention services and respond to runaways and youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking. Learn more at www.nn4youth.org.
About America SCORES:
A national nonprofit organization, America SCORES partners with public schools in low-income communities to provide a high-quality, award-winning after-school program to elementary and middle school youth. Integrating soccer, poetry and service-learning, our innovative approach improves at-risk students’ health, academic achievement and civic engagement by focusing on teamwork, creativity, literacy, school engagement and leadership. Our mission is to inspire urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. Learn more at www.americascores.org.
About Open Goal Project:
Through financial and logistical support, Open Goal Project is a Washington, DC, non-profit that identifies and aides talented youth soccer players from low-income families to overcome costs and lack of resources to make the most of their potential on and off the field. Since launching in 2015, Open Goal has helped register more than a dozen local players for travel soccer teams, has covered registration and costs for numerous players to attend summer and ID camps and provided free clinics and high-level training for dozens of youth players in DC. The Open Goal Project is a fiscally sponsored project of DC SCORES, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. Learn more about Open Goal Project.