Welcome to Ninad's Page!
Ninad Nirgudkar
Ninad Nirgudkar
Welcome family, friends to my PowerOf11 Campaign Page. I hope you'll read my story below, learn how much SBU means to me and consider donating!
I first joined South Bronx United (SBU) in the spring of 2021 after moving to NYC post-graduation. I wanted something meaningful to do on my weekends, so I began coaching a boys U13 team every weekend (now both a U13 and U16 team, and we've come a long way!). But once I got a peek at what SBU does, I realized the organization was much broader and more impactful than just organizing recreational soccer on the weekends. From that first season onward, I committed to spending my Saturday mornings commuting from Williamsburg to the Bronx (which, if you're familiar with NYC, you know requires a lot of timing the Subway to get their on time!) because of the broader cause I knew I was a part of and the impact I could see SBU having on the kids that I coached.
South Bronx United (SBU) is a nonprofit youth development organization with a mission of using soccer as a tool for social change. More than 1,300 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.
While I see myself first and foremost as the coach of the Light Blue U13s and the Lime U16s, I also am a champion of SBU as an organization, promoting awareness across my networks, unity with the community that we support, and fundraising to continue expanding SBUs offerings for the students, parents, volunteers, coaches, and staff that help move our mission forward. SBU is a vehicle to empower our students to become their best selves, on the pitch & in the classroom. We support students from their time in grade school to college and beyond. In order to continue growing, we need your support. This cause is very dear to me, and I appreciate support in all amounts! Together we can make a difference!
South Bronx United (SBU) is a nonprofit youth development organization with a mission of using soccer as a tool to uplift youth and families in the South Bronx. More than 1,700 young people--beginning at age two and all the way through young adults navigating college and careers--will have participated in programs this year in the classroom, on the soccer field, and in the community.
Founded in 2009, the organization's programs have grown in scope combining academic enrichment, college prep, mentoring, leadership development, health and wellness programs, immigration legal services, and other youth and family services with soccer programs. The organization's core program, 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.
In the past year, SBU added a new Workforce Development Program, which helps participants build job skills, cultivate a potential career, and secure long-term employment through weekly workshops and on-the-job training. As part of the program, SBU opened the Clubhouse Café, one of the only coffee shops in the Bronx’s Concourse neighborhood. There, ten young adults have participated in the Café Fellowship, making up half of the first two Workforce Development Program cohorts. They complete barista training at Devoción’s state-of-the-art education lab in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, while getting on the job training and paid employment. Drop in to the Clubhouse Café to meet the Fellows behind the counter! This new program is made particularly important because of the high percentage of Bronx youth who end up out of school and underemployed.
South Bronx United's impact is significant and its mission is very dear to me. Because of that, I became Team Captain for the #PowerOf11 Campaign. I hope you will consider making a donation to support the campaign and help me reach my goal! I appreciate support in any amount! Together we can make a difference!
I first joined South Bronx United (SBU) in the spring of 2021 after moving to NYC post-graduation. I wanted something meaningful to do on my weekends, so I began coaching a boys U13 team every weekend (now both a U13 and U16 team, and we've come a long way!). But once I got a peek at what SBU does, I realized the organization was much broader and more impactful than just organizing recreational soccer on the weekends. From that first season onward, I committed to spending my Saturday mornings commuting from Williamsburg to the Bronx (which, if you're familiar with NYC, you know requires a lot of timing the Subway to get their on time!) because of the broader cause I knew I was a part of and the impact I could see SBU having on the kids that I coached.
South Bronx United (SBU) is a nonprofit youth development organization with a mission of using soccer as a tool for social change. More than 1,300 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.
While I see myself first and foremost as the coach of the Light Blue U13s and the Lime U16s, I also am a champion of SBU as an organization, promoting awareness across my networks, unity with the community that we support, and fundraising to continue expanding SBUs offerings for the students, parents, volunteers, coaches, and staff that help move our mission forward. SBU is a vehicle to empower our students to become their best selves, on the pitch & in the classroom. We support students from their time in grade school to college and beyond. In order to continue growing, we need your support. This cause is very dear to me, and I appreciate support in all amounts! Together we can make a difference!
South Bronx United (SBU) is a nonprofit youth development organization with a mission of using soccer as a tool to uplift youth and families in the South Bronx. More than 1,700 young people--beginning at age two and all the way through young adults navigating college and careers--will have participated in programs this year in the classroom, on the soccer field, and in the community.
Founded in 2009, the organization's programs have grown in scope combining academic enrichment, college prep, mentoring, leadership development, health and wellness programs, immigration legal services, and other youth and family services with soccer programs. The organization's core program, 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.
In the past year, SBU added a new Workforce Development Program, which helps participants build job skills, cultivate a potential career, and secure long-term employment through weekly workshops and on-the-job training. As part of the program, SBU opened the Clubhouse Café, one of the only coffee shops in the Bronx’s Concourse neighborhood. There, ten young adults have participated in the Café Fellowship, making up half of the first two Workforce Development Program cohorts. They complete barista training at Devoción’s state-of-the-art education lab in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, while getting on the job training and paid employment. Drop in to the Clubhouse Café to meet the Fellows behind the counter! This new program is made particularly important because of the high percentage of Bronx youth who end up out of school and underemployed.
South Bronx United's impact is significant and its mission is very dear to me. Because of that, I became Team Captain for the #PowerOf11 Campaign. I hope you will consider making a donation to support the campaign and help me reach my goal! I appreciate support in any amount! Together we can make a difference!
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