On Friday afternoons this fall, Philadelphia Open Soccer ran a free after-school soccer program at Max Myers Playground for students from area elementary and middle schools. The core group of participants were from the Spruance Elementary School’s refugee education program.
Philadelphia Open Soccer uses volunteer coaches to teach team-building and leadership skills. The program was created by University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. students in coordination with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, HIAS PA, and others. Open Soccer’s goal is to foster social integration and cultural understanding between the local community and its newest members, many of whom are just beginning to learn English.
Open Soccer helps immigrant students:
- Improve their English
- Build friendships among their peers
- Acclimate to the United States.
The large events also offered an opportunity for parents to meet other adults, including immigrant parents in a similar situation, and to feel more a part of the community.
In its second year, the program expanded from its original focus on refugee youth to embrace the broader community. Participants ranged in age from 6 to 13. They hailed from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Albania, Liberia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, and the United States. This truly global group highlights the rich diversity of our local community. The success of the program helps put immigrant youth on a path to success.
