New York City, NY, USA

New York City, NY is an SWB seasonal program

Program Background:

Each member of SWB New York has been recently resettled in the New York Metro Area.  Most of the youth in the program hail from Western African countries including but not limited to Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, or Southeast Asian countries such as Bhutan and Tibet. While the students come from diverse countries and speak different languages, every student shares the experience of finding themselves in a new and often overwhelming setting. Additionally, many of these young people share the experience of having survived traumatic experiences in their homelands.  One of the greatest challenges facing the program youth is becoming fully integrated in their new surroundings and culture.  SWB New York aims to provide a space where young people can connect with their peers in a safe and supportive environment and develop their soccer, leadership and cooperation skills.

Program Description:

SWB New York began in April 2008 with the help of the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) Manhattan office.  The project began with only two volunteer coaches and 10 players, but has grown every month to its current point of 25 high-school aged boys, and still has incredible potential  The student-athletes that make up the body of this program are all refugees who have been recently resettled in the New York Metro Area.  During the regular season, there is soccer practice every Saturday directly preceded by a tutoring session hosted by the IRC. SWB staff picks-up program participants at the IRC and the team travels together to practice.  Additionally, every November and May program youth participate in small-sided tournaments for refugee youth and their families and once a year participants are invited to attend a New York Red Bulls MLS game.

Program Partners:

Brooklyn International High School

International Rescue Committee

Program Staff:

Demetrios Yatrakis,  Co-Director and Coach, newyork@soccerwithoutborders.org

Karilyn Anderson, Co-Director and Coach, newyork@soccerwithoutborders.org

Meghan Duesing, Co-Director and Coach, newyork@soccerwithoutborders.org

Recent Highlights:

1st Annual City Cup, June 2011