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.

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.

As the Social Work Program Manager for SBU I work directly with our student-athletes on our travel soccer teams and their families. Every day I am blessed with the opportunity to work with these youth and see them grow as scholars. athletes, and human beings.

There is no cause that I believe in more and the impact is real. I appreciate support in all amounts!