Soccer as Inspiration

Today I got an email from a friend of a friend in Washington, DC. He's working for Street Soccer USA. Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) creates grassroots soccer programs around the US to help the homeless and impoverished realize their dreams and goals. They have teams in numerous US cities, including Minneapolis. The program is an offshoot of HELP USA, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant.

In addition, SSUSA is the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup. And, it looks like I will be going to DC for the Homeless USA Cup:
"As the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup, each year SSUSA host the Homeless USA Cup, where inner city street soccer teams and social service agencies compete for the US Cup. In addition the homeless have the opportunity to be selected to represent the US National Team that represents the US at the Homeless World Cup tournament."

They have a blog with news from each team and their preparation for the Homeless USA Cup.

As a soccer fan and a person interested in human rights, this program sounds really cool! I'm looking forward to becoming involved in the organization.