Kickin It In South Africa
"We make a Living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
-Winston Churchill
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand."
Nelson Mandela
My journey to Grassroots began when I joined Street Soccer USA after graduating from Wesleyan in 2012 as an Americorps VISTA member. Street Soccer USA is a national nonprofit that uses the power of teamwork and soccer to dramatically transform lives of homeless men and women. While I was there, I saw how the simple game of soccer and team comradery can truly change a persons outlook on life. I was hooked, and I knew this was the path for me.
Currently, I am a Street Soccer Philly coach where every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday I get the opportunity to see the game I love soccer, empower the lives of so many men. As a Student Run Philly Style leader I saw how running a marathon can provide youth with self-esteem and self-efficacy to make positive choices in their lives. These experiences have showed me that sports have the unlimited potential to truly bring about social change. Working with GRS aligns perfectly with my passion and long terms goals in Public Health. I am so excited, happy and thrilled to start this next chapter of my life!!!
Why Sports?
What will I be doing in South Africa?
As part of the coach’s development team I will be working in the city of Cape Town, where I will be helping to develop their "Unleashing Potential" program. This program focuses on the development of coaches and prepares them to be leaders in their communities. This includes helping them build an employment skill set by providing them with computer training and mentorships opportunities. I am very fortunate to have been chosen to work on this project, which is so crucial to the overall GRS organization and is supported by Barclays Spaces for Sport and USAID.
