South Bronx United (SBU) is a nonprofit youth development organization with a mission of using soccer as a tool for social change. More than 1,400 young people, beginning at age four and all the way through college, will have participated in programs this year on the soccer field, in the classroom, and in the community.

Founded in 2009 to address a lack in youth athletic programs in the South Bronx, the organization's programs have grown to combine soccer with academic enrichment, college prep, mentoring, leadership development, health and wellness programs, immigration legal services, and other family and youth supports. The SBU Academy has a 100% high school graduation rate and 94% college matriculation rate. College-readiness rates of graduates are three-times the rate of their peers.

I have been involved with SBU in different roles since 2017, first as a volunteer tutor, as well as a few years on the junior board and one year on the full board. This cause is very dear to me, and I appreciate support in all amounts!