Street Soccer USA is an non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 under the umbrella of HELP USA that promotes the growth and development of a national network of grassroots soccer programs to achieve social change. SSUSA aims to get homeless men, women, and youth off the streets through innovative, sports-based solutions to eradicate homelessness and poverty in the United States. As of 2010, SSUSA has 18 teams across the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

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Street Soccer USA is the United States base partner of the Homeless World Cup

Homeless World Cup

-The Cause:There are one billion homeless people in our world today. This is a global issue that affects every nation.Homelessness can force people into isolation, which affects their ability to share, communicate their thoughts and work with others...

 and the host of the Homeless USA Cup

Homeless USA Cup

The Homeless USA Cup is now called the "Street Soccer USA Cup" It is a street soccer tournament held every year to see who will represent the USA in The Homeless World Cup. The tournament is composed of homeless men and women from all around the country. Different cities will bring teams of eight...

 every year. The tournament began in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2006, and was moved to Washington D.C. in 2008. Street Soccer USA is a part of the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...

Objectives

SSUSA elevates the talents and abilities of the homeless to the attention of the general public, changing stereotypes and misconceptions. This is accomplished through multimedia such as photography exhibitions, film, online video, and blogs. Additionally, SSUSA attends national conferences on sport, youth, development and the homeless.

SSUSA has learned and firmly believes that adding a layer of sports intervention to existing homeless services programs will enhance existing programs and help reduce homelessness in the United States.

History

Lawrence Cann, a young social entrepreneur, founded SSUSA in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2004. In just a few years, SSUSA has grown from one program to a 16 city league of programs across the country. SSUSA has reached more than 20% of chronically homeless living in Greater Charlotte, and realized a 75% success rate in effecting a positive life change such as addressing a substance abuse problem or mental health issue, securing full-time employment or moving off the street. The sense of belonging, mentorship, and structure that SSUSA programs provide is the difference between people languishing on the street and successfully re-integrating into society.

Additionally, Street Soccer USA is the official partner of the Homeless World Cup

Homeless World Cup

-The Cause:There are one billion homeless people in our world today. This is a global issue that affects every nation.Homelessness can force people into isolation, which affects their ability to share, communicate their thoughts and work with others...

founded by Mel Young, and responsible for organizing the United States participation in the annual Homeless World Cup. Through this tournament, SSUSA has made international headlines.

Since 2005, SSUSA has brought a team of homeless soccer players to the annually-hosted Homeless World Cup.