UNION PACIFIC TO FUND FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STREET SOCCER USA PARK IN SACRAMENTO’S BROADWAY DISTRICT TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND STREET SOCCER USA PROGRAMMING
The new Union Pacific Street Soccer USA Park, located within O’Neil Park, will provide an innovative philanthropic initiative for thousands of youth and adults through Street Soccer USA’s city-wide street league in Sacramento.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (Jan. 30, 2020) – Union Pacific Railroad (Union Pacific) and Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) today announced a partnership that will fund the development of a first-of-its-kind soccer facility, making the sport accessible to low-income communities in Sacramento. Union Pacific’s contribution of $191,000 is one of the largest grants for a community project in California through its Community Ties Giving Program, and supports its efforts to provide valuable resources and programing to assist the homeless community. The new park is also made possible through a $34,000 contribution from City of Sacramento Councilmember Steve Hansen.
The new Union Pacific Street Soccer USA Park, including two turf fields and a modified shipping container clubhouse, will host year-round SSUSA programming for both youth and adults in surrounding neighborhoods. More than just a place to play, the Union Pacific Street Soccer USA Park will be a point of community pride and excellence. Construction of the Park is scheduled to begin in April with the inauguration of the Park expected before the start of the summer.
The facility has been developed from SSUSA’s years of experience working in the Sacramento community, including SSUSA courts in Oak Park and at Mather Community Campus. The space will be SSUSA Sacramento’s hub as it aims to bring fields and programming to every district over the next five years. The landmark partnership was announced and celebrated today at the future park site with a press conference and soccer practice for SSUSA players.
SSUSA Sacramento chapter has been running programs for the last seven years for more than 1,400 youth and adults, many of whom are homeless or formerly homeless. Their success includes 85 percent of SSUSA adult players dealing with addiction maintaining their sobriety. With support from key local partners, SSUSA Sacramento has continually increased its impact in improving lives through soccer programming and off-field social service support, including connecting adults and families to employment, housing, further education and mental health support.
Through its specialized social emotional learning skills curriculum that bridges the lessons of life and soccer, relationship-based coaching philosophy, emphasis on teamwork and community, and commitment to providing high-level, accessible and free soccer programming, Street Soccer USA continues to help program participants discover their strengths and achieve their goals on and off the field.
Quote from Clint Schelbitzki, Union Pacific General Director – Public Affairs
Union Pacific is proud to work with Street Soccer USA to provide a safe, clean and positive environment that fosters an appreciation for sportsmanship and the outdoors. We believe vibrant spaces like this are the heart of a community and reflect its diverse character, while creating destinations where families and visitors want to be.
Quote from Steve Hansen, City of Sacramento Councilmember for District 4
Street Soccer USA is a transformational program for our neighborhoods, providing opportunities for our youth to play, learn together and build community. We are honored to have this first-of-its-kind soccer park in District 4 on Broadway and hope it can be a beacon of possibility for our at-risk kids.
Quote from Lisa Wrightsman, SSUSA Sacramento Managing Director
O’Neil Park has long been a destination for our soccer community, and through the creation of the Union Pacific Street Soccer USA Park, we will give a home field for our ever-growing network of the SSUSA Street League. Made up of neighborhood-based community club teams, the Street League harnesses the power of competition to enhance development and removes barriers to play such as transportation and costs. With 100 percent employment for all the players on our current women’s teams, and over 90 percent employment from our adult teams since 2011, we have seen first-hand the possibilities. This is just a glimpse of the success and hope we can build together as a community.
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About Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA is a national nonprofit that aims to fight poverty and strengthen communities through soccer. Founded in 2009, Street Soccer USA connects soccer skills to life skills, providing best-in-class, fun, and free soccer programming while helping participants cultivate positive relationships and find the resources needed to succeed. Through community soccer clubs, a sports for development curriculum, and academic and social services support, Street Soccer USA helps players and families discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and improve their future. For more information, visit www.streetsoccerusa.org.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. The railroad’s diversified business mix is classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, Industrial and Premium business groups. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.