From humble Georgia roots to a national movement, we’ve seen how soccer can uplift communities and generations.
Founded in 1989 by Carolyn McKenize in Jonesboro, Georgia, Soccer in the Streets began as a simple but powerful vision: to bring the beautiful game of soccer to youth as a means of showing them what they can achieve.
”I grew up in an underprivileged home. I wanted to take part in dance and play sports like other kids, but I couldn’t. I wanted to have the same opportunities but they weren’t there. Kids are fragile and they don’t know what they’re missing, so it’s up to us to provide them with opportunities. If we can tap into their natural talent we can help them succeed. If we expose them to opportunities, they will take advantage of them.“ —Carolyn McKenzie
From a grassroots effort at a local Boys & Girls Club to a FIFA partner building a field of dreams at HE Holmes MARTA station, we’ve come far and made our mark. Although we now focus on underserved communities in Atlanta, we’ve worked in over 50 U.S. cities, bringing skill-based learning, character development, and the joy of soccer to hundreds of thousands of kids. Safe spaces, strong communities, limitless potential: this is what soccer can do. And this is what Atlanta’s next generation deserves. Become a Donor
