Several Switchbacks players visited a SESSI (Southeast Springs Soccer Initiative) session as a continuation of their Spreading Smiles Initiative.
Rony Argueta, Kevaughn Frater, Sean McFarlane, and Diego Gutierrez visited El Pomar Park during a SESSI session to reach out to some underprivileged kids in southeast Colorado Springs.
"It was a great experience for me to go into an unfortunate community and impact the innocent lives of kids as a professional soccer player," said Sean McFarlane of the experience. "I understand how much this means to the kids to be playing and spending time with us. It's very important for us to be giving back to the community any way we can."
SESSI uses soccer as a gang prevention/intervention tool to reach at-risk youth. Volunteer soccer coaches offer free summer trainings, year-round clinics, pick-up games, 3 v 3 events, and tournaments in multiple parks throughout the Southeast Colorado Springs community.
After 2 years of planning, two dedicated community members initiated the program at the grassroots level. The first Kick-Around Event happened in the summer of 2014 with just 10 kids. By the end of the summer, over 700 kids at 2 parks played soccer with our coaches, law enforcement officers, and their own neighbors. In 2015, the program expanded to 4 parks and served over 2,000 kids. Children were given cleats, game time snacks, water, and one of the best summers ever, thanks to community support. Summer camps were also kicked off to supplement our evening kick-arounds.
To learn more about SESSI or get involved, visit: https://www.sessi.org/
Several Switchbacks players visited a SESSI (Southeast Springs Soccer Initiative) session as a continuation of their Spreading Smiles Initiative.
Rony Argueta, Kevaughn Frater, Sean McFarlane, and Diego Gutierrez visited El Pomar Park during a SESSI session to reach out to some underprivileged kids in southeast Colorado Springs.
“It was a great experience for me to go into an unfortunate community and impact the innocent lives of kids as a professional soccer player,” said Sean McFarlane of the experience. “I understand how much this means to the kids to be playing and spending time with us. It’s very important for us to be giving back to the community any way we can.”
SESSI uses soccer as a gang prevention/intervention tool to reach at-risk youth. Volunteer soccer coaches offer free summer trainings, year-round clinics, pick-up games, 3 v 3 events, and tournaments in multiple parks throughout the Southeast Colorado Springs community.
After 2 years of planning, two dedicated community members initiated the program at the grassroots level. The first Kick-Around Event happened in the summer of 2014 with just 10 kids. By the end of the summer, over 700 kids at 2 parks played soccer with our coaches, law enforcement officers, and their own neighbors. In 2015, the program expanded to 4 parks and served over 2,000 kids. Children were given cleats, game time snacks, water, and one of the best summers ever, thanks to community support. Summer camps were also kicked off to supplement our evening kick-arounds.
To learn more about SESSI or get involved, visit: https://www.sessi.org/
