South Bronx United is a 501c3 nonprofit, youth development organization that uses soccer for social change. We serve more than 1,600 young people annually from age four all the way through college, combining recreational and competitive youth soccer with academic enrichment, college prep, mentoring, health and wellness promotion, leadership development, immigration legal services, and other individual and family supports.
In 2009, South Bronx United was launched in an attempt to make a difference in this community by engaging youth through their passion for soccer. SBU continues to reach children as young as four years old and provide support services that continue for many alumni into their early twenties. In the past eight years, 100% of SBU Academy seniors have gone on to graduate high school and 94% have enrolled in college. The college readiness rate of our graduates is nearly three-times higher than the district average. More than 220 young adults call themselves SBU Academy alumni. SBU helps children and families access opportunities for a better life. To date, SBU has helped 33 young people obtain legal permanent residence. More than 300 volunteers, coaches, staff, and board members make this work possible on a daily basis.
In January 2024, South Bronx United opened the doors to our Clubhouse Café, a dynamic business venture that coincides with SBU's newly revised workforce development fellowship program for SBU Academy high school students and alumni. This 6-month fellowship delivers workshops building job readiness and professional skills, practical experience and income working in customer service and retail at the Cafe, and continued support through SBU's College and Career Success program services.
