Near West Rec Receives US Soccer Foundation Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/5/2015
NEAR WEST REC AND OHIO CITY INCORPORATED RECEIVE
U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION GRANT
Grant will support Near West Rec sports programs for youth on Cleveland’s Near West Side
Cleveland, OH – Ohio City Incorporated today announced it has been awarded a $15,250 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, to support the Near West Recreation League and its remarkable efforts to build community and support neighborhood youth and families in Ohio City and neighboring communities.
In its continued effort to grow the game of soccer and utilize it to improve the well-being of children in under-resourced communities, the U.S. Soccer Foundation awards grants to support soccer programming and field-building initiatives nationwide. Non-profit organizations eligible to receive grant funding include those that provide children with the opportunity to play soccer and provide programming that promotes healthy youth development.
“Support from the U.S. Soccer Foundation makes a tremendous difference in our ability to provide sports and wellness learning to families living in Near West Side neighborhoods, regardless of family income,” said Tom McNair, Executive Director of Ohio City Incorporated. “These funds help us provide a sliding scale for registration fees and help us purchase equipment, maintain our fields, and more.”
The Near West Rec anticipates serving 350 young soccer players this spring, an increase of nearly 30 percent over 2014.
This grant was awarded as part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s latest grant cycle which distributed 31 grants totaling nearly $1,300,000. Fourteen awards were distributed as part of the Safe Places to Play program. The Safe Places to Play program seeks to build or enhance field spaces in underserved areas in order to provide safe places for children to play. To date, the Foundation has helped to create or improve hundreds of safe places for children nationwide, and has awarded more than $100 million to organizations in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. The remaining awards were distributed to organizations across the country to support programs aimed at growing the game of soccer in underserved communities.
“Our goal at the U.S. Soccer Foundation is to grow the game of soccer and help create safe places to play in communities nationwide,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “We are honored for the opportunity to support Near West Rec and its efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and families in the community.”
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, Soccer.com, and Sport Court.
To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $100 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
About Near West Rec League
Near West Recreation is a partnership between Ohio City Incorporated, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, Tremont West Development, Stockyard, Clark-Fulton, Brooklyn Centre Community Development Organization, and the Cleveland Transformation Alliance. Along with its flagship soccer program, Near West Rec offers sports learning experiences in baseball, bowling, and more.
Media Contact:
Zoe Adams, Marketing and Events Manager
Ohio City Incorporated
216-781-3222 x106
zadams@ohiocity.org
