America SCORES New York Launches 2030 Vision Strategy

Ambitious $25mm growth plan inspired by a long standing commitment to

Social Justice Youth Development

Goal of inspiring 15,000 New York City kids through a unique combination of soccer, poetry and service-learning after-school programming backed by key partners such as the Embassy of the State of Qatar and GFP Real Estate, with continued support from The Harris Family Charitable Foundation

[New York NY, Monday September 30, 2019] - America SCORES New York (ASNY) is excited to announce the launch of our 2030 Vision Strategy with the goal of becoming NYC’s leader in Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) through sport, self-expression and community.

Over the course of the next decade, ASNY will look to raise $25mm to establish the resources for building our community programs to support youth through social-emotional skill development in under-resourced areas across the greater NYC region.

The statement outlines that by 2030, ASNY wants to be one of the leading organizations for social change in NYC, using the three platforms of sport, poetry, and service-learning. This vision directly aligns with and supports the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals #3 Good Health & Well-Being, #4 Quality Education, #5 Gender Equality, #10 Reduced Inequalities, and #16 Peace Justice & Strong Institutions.

ASNY provides critical support for thousands of NYC youth each year with key partners including The Harris Family Charitable Foundation, the Embassy of the State of Qatar and GFP Real Estate. ASNY looks forward to furthering its position as one of the most effective youth development programs in the city with its 20th anniversary set to be celebrated in 2021, and onward with the 25th anniversary coinciding with the FIFA Men’s World Cup hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

“Sports and the arts are integral to the well-rounded development of children, and kids should not be denied this because of their circumstance,” said His Excellency Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States, “The Embassy of the State of Qatar is proud to support America SCORES in New York and across the nation as they fulfill their mission to give kids the confidence and skills to succeed through the intersection of soccer and poetry.”

"We believe that supporting nonprofit organizations improves our city and strengthens our communities," said GFP Real Estate Co-Chief Executive Officer Eric Gural. “As America SCORES New York curates safe spaces for children throughout New York City, we are proud to be providing them with a space of their own to continue working diligently and intentionally to give our young people greater opportunities through their program.”

“We recognize our responsibility to act as an organization that stands for equity and against all forms of oppression. Every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a team, which is not currently accessible for far too many youth,” said Shannon Schneeman, Executive Director of ASNY.

“We work with students, communities, and families who have been historically deprived of the opportunity to prosper because of inequities around race, power and privilege. Our vision is inspired by the desire to break this cycle of injustice.”

This strategy was created in collaboration with all stakeholders within the ASNY family from the Junior Board to the Board of Directors, from staff to family members, yielding a cohesive message which will align all aspects of the organization in one simple strategic direction.

Adam Freeman, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, pointed out that the organization would measure the success of these strategic initiatives annually and would also consider how to continue to push for a more profound social impact each year.

“There is a growing movement around utilizing sport for social change,” said Mr. Freeman. “The emphasis on social-emotional learning skills, social justice, and community engagement have always been core pillars of our program.

“Every child should have a space where they feel safe and brave enough to be adventurous and expressive. We are in this together for the students and communities we serve who are nearly all people of color and have been deprived of equitable opportunities for economic advancement, education, athletics and employment. In our organization, we want to form long-lasting relationships with the communities we work in and the families that live in them.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

● John Riordan, Development & Communications Manager

○ jriordan@americascores.org

○ (917) 767-2362

● AM Hall Consulting

○ adam@amhallconsulting.com

Read more about our journey to 2030 here.

ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (SJYD)

“SJYD examines how urban youth contest, challenge, respond to and negotiate the use of power in their lives. SJYD is strengthened by youth and adult allies working together with a common vision for social justice. This requires that adults take seriously their own development and that youth workers shift how they conceptualize youth development. Reaching healthy adulthood is not the only goal of SJYD; rather, it is to build a more equitable society through the engagement of critically conscious citizens.”

Source: Shawn Ginwright, Taj James

ABOUT AMERICA SCORES NEW YORK

America SCORES was started in 1994 by a public-school teacher in Washington, D.C. and is a national organization serving 15,000 students. America SCORES New York was founded in 2001 to address the absence of high-quality after-school programs for public schools in under-resourced NYC communities. Its core program provides 1,500 students in grades K-12 with daily soccer, poetry and service-learning workshops, complemented by weekly soccer games, summer programs, poetry slams and soccer tournaments throughout the year.

America SCORES New York serves as a driving force in promoting fair play, self-expression, commitment, and teamwork for youth in under-resourced communities in New York City. Through a combination of soccer, poetry, and service-learning, our unique after-school program shines a spotlight on these poet-athletes, helping them develop the skills necessary to lead successful lives off the field and outside the classroom.