Omaha Housing Authority Foundation : SOCCER ACADEMY

Mission

OHA Foundation Soccer AcademyTo provide low-income, inner-city youth and refugee youth an opportunity that reinforces positive lifestyle choices and educational/social skills through soccer.

OHA To provide safe, secure, quality affordable housing and help build a foundation for homeownership while promoting self-sufficient living.

Our Story

Founded in 2008, the OHA Foundation’s Soccer Academy provides a venue for participation in the sport of soccer, serving as a catalyst for change in the Omaha community.

The Academy works with youth ages 6-18, with over 400 youth participating to date.

Why SOCCER?

The Academy allows area youth, predominantly refugees, to engage in athletics (“the real football”) as they assimilate and adjust to American culture.

SOCCER and team sports dissuade youths of the

Omaha projects from gangs and drugs, promoting an

active lifestyle while breaking down linguistic and

cultural barriers. The program has

engaged over 400 youths.

Empowering YouthThe need for this program is simple: the city of Omaha is in crisis.

Of 100 of the nation’s largest metropolitan cities, Omaha ranks third highest for rate of poverty amongst African Americans.

Additionally, 59.4% of children in North Omaha are born and reared in poverty. Further, although African Americans comprise only 4.5% of Nebraska’s population, they make up about 40% of homicide victims. More surprisingly, over 55% of those homicide victims are between the ages of 15-24.

It is in this environment that hopelessness is erected. We recognize that poverty and lack of educational attainment are primary factors that lead youth to become involved in risky activities, gangs, violence, and crime. The OHA Soccer Academy dismantles hopelessness by empowering youth and equipping them with the tools and skills necessary to break cycles of poverty, violence, and depression.

Academy GOALS

help youth cultivate and develop life skills (confidence, respect, sportsmanship, teamwork, self-worth)

teach the techniques and rules of soccer

promote physical health prevent truancy

provide tutoring, college prep

provide a positive outlet for youth

afford low-income/inner-city youth the opportunity to participate on an organized, structured team with quality coaches

Project Outcomes Increase the number of low-income, inner-city

youth/refugees who participate in the OHA Soccer Academy, Premier Clubs, and middle/high school soccer programs by 25%. (During the Spring, we had over 360 participants—our Fall goal is to exceed 400.)

Increase school attendance and academic performance in youth ages 6-18. (Track school attendance and help assure that youth miss less than 4 days of school per semester; soccer participants will attend the study center at least 3 times per week and grades will be tracked by our Academic Achievement Coordinators.)

Players are require to participate in all OHA educational activities.

Increase youth participation in OHA/community anti-gang, anti-violence and after-school activities. Our goal is for all youth who participate in the Soccer Academy to also participate in other activities sponsored by OHA and community partners.)

Project Outcomes, cont’d 120 youth participated in ENSA's Spring Soccer 150 youth participated in a soccer camp sponsored in part

by Creighton & Penn State University's Men's Soccer Team 265 youth participated in OHA Soccer Academy camp/try-

outs 29 youth participated in Azzurri camp 50 youth participated in Azzurri tournament Over 50 players are either playing for their High School,

Jr. High, or Elementary school 32 players participated in Latino Summer League 7 players participated with NFC Telect team 10 players participated in Omega Psi Phi: Project Manhood 14 players selected for OHA scholarship/college prep

program 7 players participated in the Step-Up Omaha employment

program

Project Outcomes, cont’d

Players also participated in a variety of anti-crime activities that allowed them to remain engaged in their community while making positive choices:

Men of Distinction Conference, MCC (North campus)

OHA's Project Aspiration (life skills for male youth)

Malcolm X Center (events and activities)

Peter Kiewit Foundation's Summer Fun Program

Various recreational activities (bowling, roller skating, etc)

FundingPledged funds will support a variety of program essentials:

equipment (shoes, game balls, scrimmage vests) fees (field usage, Nebraska Futbul Club, NSSA, NSL/ENSA

registrations, tournament registration/costs, administration) professional/coaching/trainer fees

Projected Expenses

Eastern Nebraska Soccer League $3,500 Field cost $2,000 Equipment $3,000 Indoor League $1,800 Nebraska Soccer League $3,500 NFC & Azzurri Club Select $2,500 Training/coaching fees $3,000 Summer league $1,200 Travel/transportation $2,500 Tournaments $3,000 Camps $1,500

$27,500

Partnerships

Nebraska State Soccer Association NFC Omaha Public School District Soccer International Eastern Nebraska Soccer Association Creighton University Soccer Omaha Police Department YMCA, Girl Inc. Outward Bound Omaha US Soccer Foundation City of Omaha AZZURRI Soccer Club

Through an innovative and engaging “modeling” environment, the Soccer Academy leverages the talents and resources of its strategic partnerships to reinforce and sustain the program, having already established working relationships with:

Program Staff Sal Issaka: Director, Family and Community Services of OHA

(19 years); Ghana native; former player; oversees the Soccer Academy Program; coaches U10 and U12 boys teams

Seth Quartey: Creighton student; Ghana native; former player at North High School; coaches U16 & U17 teams

Rachelle Tucker: OHA staff (7 years), Club Manager James Mason: OHA staff, Assistant coach Billy Quartey: Ghana native; coaches U13 & U14 teams Cedric Cooper: OPS educator Osuman Issaka: Assistant Coach 1 CU Assistant Coach: Volunteer trainer Mohamed Farivari: founder, Azzurri Soccer club, Adviser Nebraska Futbul Club staff advisers 2 OHA Family and Community Outreach Coordinators:

recruiting & transportation 3 parent volunteers

Program Contact

Sal IssakaOmaha Housing Authority Foundation, Inc.4401 North 21st StreetOmaha, NE 68111sissaka@ohauthority.org402-444-7100 Ext 212