Soccer Without Borders - General Operations

Soccer Without Borders’ (SWB) mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing newcomer refugee, asylum and immigrant youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success.

 Baltimore SWB programs will serve over 275 youth and include year-round after-school programming for middle and high school students, integrating English language development into soccer programming, and combining with differentiated, data-driven academic support serving students' individual needs. Participants will compete in both middle and high school soccer leagues as a reward for hard work in the classroom. Upperclassmen will participate in college access workshops, placing them one-on-one with college access mentors, who help them navigate the college and financial aid application process.

The Baltimore Women's Giving Circle selected Soccer Without Borders to support the growth of programming to meet the needs of the increase in newcomer youth population in Baltimore City.  The funding supported crucial support for staff and transportation expenses for the growing newcomer youth population in Baltimore City, most of whom are refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants. Eighty-two percent (82%) achieved a 3.0 or better GPA; attendance in school increased by 75% (almost reaching the 80% goal), and 100% approval participants of mentors, safe space, engagement provided to them.