User:Jeanniecc/sbudraft

Introduction
The South Bronx United Soccer Club is a youth development organization and youth soccer club location in the Bronx, New York. It is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service. Its programs serve approximately 450 boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 19 through soccer programs, educational programs, and character development programs.

According to the organization its mission statement is: “The South Bronx United Soccer Club uses soccer as a vehicle for social change. South Bronx United aims to help youth build character, teamwork, and leadership so that they can succeed in high school, college, careers, their community and beyond. South Bronx United strives to promote educational achievement, health and wellness, and character development through activities on and off the soccer field and to UNITE a diverse group of individuals and an incredibly diverse community toward common positive goals.”

South Bronx United is a volunteer-based organization. Over eighty volunteers serve the organization, including all coaches. One volunteer, co-founder Stephanie So was awarded the 2010 Leonard A Lauder Volunteer of the Year award from Estee Lauder Companies.

History
South Bronx United Soccer Club, Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in the state of New York in January 2009. The organization began activities that spring starting its travel soccer program with a boys team in the Under 13 division of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, an affiliate of East New York Youth Soccer Association and US Youth Soccer. The first tryout was held on a baseball field of melting snow and mud at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx.

By the fall of 2010, the travel program had five boys travel teams (U11, U13, U15, U17, U19). In April 2010, South Bronx United started the recreational program, also known as the South Bronx United Youth Soccer League, to provide 4-19 year olds boys and girls of all ability levels a chance to play soccer. In 2010 the Education Through Soccer Initiative lead to the start of its College Prep Program and After School Tutoring Program.

In June 2010, the organization formed a partnership with Hostos Community College. South Bronx United has hosted clinics for South Bronx youth with some well-known professional soccer players, including former Mexican national team captain Claudio Suarez and New York Red Bulls and Senegalese goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

Youth Soccer
South Bronx United has five travel teams (U11, U13, U15, U17, U19) consisting of over 100 boys from 26 different countries, making it one of the most diverse programs in the country. All five of the travel teams play in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League in New York City in addition to the various local and regional tournaments as well as the Eastern New York State Cup. South Bronx United alumni from its first group of high school seniors include Daniel Oduro (ASA Institute), Jamal Bagigah (City College of New York), and Mohammed Latifu (Alfred State University).

South Bronx United started a recreational league aimed at giving 4-19 year olds boys and girls of all ability levels a chance to play soccer. The fall season commences in September and ends in early December while the spring season starts in March and ends in June. The league currently has over 300 members with over 50 volunteers. Games are held on Saturdays at Macombs Dam Field, across the street from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Education Programs
South Bronx United runs an after-school tutoring program in conjunction with the International Rescue Commission at the Urban Assembly School for Careers in Sports in the Concourse neighborhood of the Bronx. The program provides youth assistance with their homework, study skills, and test preparation. Youth in the travel program are required to attend. South Bronx United’s College Prep Program starts by helping youth build college awareness and helps high school students prepare for college admissions, applications, and testing.

Character Development Program
The Character Development Program helps youth build strong character, leadership, and teamwork. These qualities are developed in the travel teams through pre-season orientation, season-ending ceremonies, conflict resolution workshops, and day-to-day interactions. Youth have participated in a National Youth Leadership Institute and a New York Leadership Summit.

Health and Wellness Program
The Health and Wellness program emphasizes that youth take on good nutrition and active lifestyles to fight obesity. A partnership was made with Peter Rabbit Organics to provide healthy organic snacks to children. Youth have also participated in citywide youth forums on healthy behaviors.

Pepsi Refresh Challenge
In November and December 2010, South Bronx United challenged in the 25K category in the Pepsi Refresh Grant in order to continue its educational efforts. The challenge requires people to vote everyday through the Pepsi Refresh challenge site or text their votes. The top ten finishers in that category are awarded 25K towards their organization or charities. SBU finished in 42nd place out of 420 entrants, earning another chance in the same category for December.

Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors and partners include Westchester Square Physical Therapy (WSPT), New York Red Bulls Training Program, i.e. Design Events, Urban Soccer Collaborative, US Youth Soccer, International Rescue Committee, and New York City Parks Department.

Media
To date, South Bronx United has been the subject of a few newspaper articles and is the subject of an upcoming documentary by Alexander Klosterkemper about soccer for social change. The New York Daily News published articles on June 8, 2010 and November 16, 2010. Freelancer Zach Schonbrun’s article, “United in Soccer,” focused on the club’s diversity. The New York Teacher also published a story about the organization and its founder.