Charlotte 

Program Director: Rob Cann

Coaches: Tim Cummings and Ray Isaac (former Street Soccer National Team Players)

Organization: Urban Ministry Center 

Year of Participation: Fifth

Level of Programming: 3D

The Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, NC organizes the Charlotte program Street Soccer 945. The Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization serving the homeless and impoverished in Charlotte with love, compassion and tangible aid.

Street Soccer 945 was the first established year around soccer program for the homeless and impoverished in the US and the founding program of Street Soccer USA. 

Street Soccer 945 recognizes healthy living, a constructive use of leisure time, a community of teammates that supports you, a personal relationship with people who can help you achieve your goals— these ingredients are the keys to anyone’s well being. For people who are homeless these components are rarely within grasp. The positive power of sports, especially soccer, is a remarkable efficacious tool for delivering these components to people caught in the trap of homelessness. Street Soccer 945 engages over 100 participants annually, and of the final team members 75% move off the street, and over 90% make a significant life change- entering drug treatment, going back to school, etc.

Street Soccer 945 is for youths and adults, male and female, 16 years and older. Participants play in leagues, attend weekly practices, and meet with Urban Ministry Center staff to set 3, 6, and 12-month personal goals. All players have the opportunity to compete for the Street Soccer USA Cup and to make the national squad for the Homeless World Cup.

Street Soccer 945 has sought to weave its program into the fabric of the local community in Charlotte by reaching out to other social service organization and community organizations. Street Soccer 945 is also an excellent means for schools, youth soccer clubs, universities, and professional clubs to be a part of this innovative solution to the problem of homelessness.

Street Soccer 945 won the Homeless World Cup Fair Play trophy in 2005, hosted the first ever Street Soccer USA Cup in 2006, organized the 2005 and 2006 Homeless World Cup teams, and organized the Street Soccer USA Organizing Conference in 2007.

Director: Rob Cann

Coaches: Ray Isaac, USA Homeless World Cup Team 2005 , Tim Cummings, USA Homeless World Cup Team 2008