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The Communities We Serve
Too many young people are left on the sidelines because of who they are, where they’re from, or the languages they speak. We’re here to change that.
At Soccer Without Borders, we believe every young person deserves the chance to play, learn, and feel like they belong. Our trauma-informed programs are designed to provide access to those who face some of the greatest barriers and are often excluded from organized sports for reasons beyond their control. Whether it’s a newcomer rebuilding their life in a new and unfamiliar country, or a young girl marginalized because of her gender, we remove barriers to ensure all youth have access to the world’s game.
We work hand in hand with schools, neighborhood organizations, and government partners to meet the unique needs of each community and ensure the soccer field becomes a free, safe, and inclusive space where underserved youth have the chance to find belonging, learn, thrive, and grow into the next generation of leaders.
Learn more about our work serving:
Newcomer Youth in the USA
Every newcomer has their own unique story to tell. Regardless of the circumstances that lead to their arrival in the United States, all newcomers are immediately faced with a vast number of challenges which can often feel insurmountable.
This is where Soccer Without Borders comes in. By leveraging soccer, the world's global language, newcomers have the opportunity to plug into a safe and welcoming space where, not only do they have the chance to play soccer, but also find community, build friendships, receive language and academic support, connect to local resources, and much more.
English Language Learners in the United States graduate from high school at a rate of 63%, compared to the overall national rate of 82% (NPR)
SWB maintains a >93% high school graduation rate for regular participants in our USA programs.
Education
Struggling with English speaking and comprehension makes it difficult for newcomers to make friends and can make them a target for bullying. (BRYCS)
At SWB, English Language Learners receive 8-15 hours of language practice outside of school. Activities take place in a variety of different contexts, maximizing exposure to vocabulary.
Language
Loneliness and isolation is a factor within most studies on refugee health. Language skill, discrimination, and poverty can contribute to social isolation. (Hynie M)
SWB coaches utilize a variety of trauma-informed, evidence-based tools and strategies to make sure that every participant feels seen, connected, and valued.
Isolation
A refugee adolescent in the US is up to 12 times more likely than a native-born peer to experience major depression. (NIMH)
Mentoring relationships can have a significant impact on psychosocial development. In FY25 alone, 361,000+ contact hours took place between SWB coaches and participants.
Mental Health
*Hover over a category to learn SWB's Approach
Newcomer Youth in East Africa
With over 1.4 million refugees in the country and an estimated 100,000+ refugees living in the city of Kampala alone, Uganda is home to one of the largest populations of refugees in the world. Primarily arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Burundi, many refugee families have experienced a traumatic journey prior to arrival in Kampala.
At SWB, we adapt the services of each Community Hub to ensure we are addressing the unique needs of the youth we serve. In Uganda, the vast majority of our participants have fled the DRC, choosing to forego the border refugee settlements in pursuit of economic opportunities in the city of Kampala. SWB Uganda is specifically designed to support healing from trauma and intensive English language learning to support youth participants overcome the obstacles to formal schooling, employment, and healthy identity development.
48% of refugee children remain out of school. Just 68% of refugee youth enroll in primary school, 34% in secondary school, and 5% in tertiary education. (UNHCR)
Our Uganda hub provides over 200,000 hours of direct programming annually. With 65% alumni staff, SWB Uganda ensures youth have the tools they need to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Education
Language barriers remain a great obstacle to refugee integration. Uganda has over 56 native languages, most of which refugees neither speak nor understand.
(Journal of Human Rights & Social Work)
Our Uganda Hub operates as an informal school, providing free-of-cost accelerated English literacy classes for refugee youth. Over 25% of the youth at the Uganda Hub are attending school for the first time.
Language
Refugees remain among the most vulnerable members of society and often face inadequate or restricted access to mainstream health services. (WHO)
Staff members at SWB Uganda are specifically trained to facilitate lessons on topics such as mental health, menstruation management, combating the stigma of HIV, and more.
Healthcare
Evidence shows high prevalence of mental health disorder among women refugees in comparison to the general population. (Systematic Reviews)
Our Wasichana Hub offers 4 hours of weekly girls-only programming in addition to leagues, tournaments, and other events. We also implement the "Coaching Boys into Men" curriculum on gender-based violence prevention.
Gender Equity
*Hover over a category to learn SWB's Approach
Marginalized Girls
Barriers to girls’ participation in sport stem from a range of factors — including familial obligations, social and cultural norms, economic constraints, and safety concerns — that often reinforce and exacerbate one another. Since many of these factors are deeply rooted in traditional sports models, eradicating them requires proactive, rather than simply reactive, approaches.
Girls are more likely to face barriers accessing safe transportation or receiving permission from their families to attend practices and games.
SWB connects with families to provide open channels of communication about programming, and provides free transportation for participants when needed.
Access
Girls face difficulty finding clothing and equipment that are comfortable, functional, and appropriate, ultimately impacting whether a girl steps onto the field.
SWB provides well-fitting, appropriate, practical, and culturally-aware sports equipment and apparel for girls to feel confident and comfortable while participating.
Equipment
High school boys have 1.3 million more opportunities to play sports than girls do. By age 14, girls drop out of sports at two times the rate of boys.
SWB programs provide safe, girls-only spaces with multiple on-ramps for participants of multiple skill levels to feel seen, included, and valued.
Opportunity
Only 27% of coaches in the U.S. identify as female, meaning girls are less likely to be coached, led, and supported by one who shares a part of their identity.
SWB provides at least one female coach for all girls-only teams, providing girls with similar-identity role models, and helping girls to feel more inspired, confident, and seen.
Role Models
*Hover over a category to learn SWB's Approach
Get Involved
Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re looking to volunteer, give, or connect with local programs, there are so many ways to support underserved youth and bring our mission to life.
