Oakland, CA, USA
Oakland, CA is a SWB core program
Program Background:
SWB Oakland creates positive team communities for recently arrived refugee and immigrant youth. Harnessing the power of soccer as a universal language, the Oakland program engages newcomer, English Language Learning youth from more than 20 countries. As youth adjust to their new and often difficult circumstances, their SWB team provides an avenue for positive engagement. In a safe and supportive environment, youth build meaningful friendships, community connections and powerful mentor/mentee relationships, which play an important role in their successful integration into their new lives in the US.
Program Description:
SWB Oakland runs four teams, serving more than 120 students throughout the year (boys U14, U16 and U19 and girls U19). Each team practices twice a week and plays games on weekends as part of the Alameda Contra Costa Youth Soccer League and the Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club. The three high-school aged teams serve students at Oakland International High School (OIHS). The student population at OIHS is made up of youth from 31 different countries that speak 29 distinct languages. One hundred percent of the students are English Language Learners and nearly all of them have immigrated to the US within the last four years. SWB works closely with OIHS leadership and teachers to build a program that positively contributes to a healthy school culture and meets broader school objectives. The U-14 boys team was born out of high demand from campers at the Oakland Refugee Community Soccer camp and extends the benefits of the program to middle-school aged refugee youth.
In addition to regular practices and games, youth in the program participate in special events throughout the year; including team camping trips to Northern California's beautiful state parks, trips to watch the San Jose Earthquakes, service learning days, off-field lessons and workshops, and participation the Global Peace Games.
Program Partners:
International Rescue Committee
Oakland Fund for Children and Youth
Oakland International High School
Oakland Unified School District – Department of Transitional Students and Families
Team Up For Youth – Coaching Corps
Program Staff:
Ben Gucciardi, SWB Oakland Program Director, ben@soccerwithoutborders.org
Prospero Herrera, SWB Oakland Coach Across America: prospero@soccerwithoutborders.org
Danny Kim, SWB Oakland Coach Across America: danny@soccerwithoutborders.org
Yehtet Soe, Middle School Boys Coach and High School Girls and Boys Assistant Coach
Hamza Hachim, High School Boys Assitant Coach
Recent Highlights:
Outdoor Education: Visiting Slide Ranch
Congratulations to all the teams on a great Fall Season! See some pictures from Fall 2011 here.