[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1645-E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING STREET SOCCER USA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 4TH ANNUAL 
                         STREET SOCCER USA CUP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Street Soccer 
USA--a leader in sports-based youth development for the least-

[[Page E1646]]

served in our country--on the occasion of its 4th Annual Street Soccer 
USA Cup that was held here in Washington, D.C. this summer.
  Street Soccer USA is an effective and innovative organization which 
builds trust through sports to better leverage existing social services 
in communities across the U.S., enhancing their outcomes and tying the 
greater community to the issues of homelessness and poverty in a new 
way. Building on the basic sports platform, Street Soccer USA creates a 
positive community around people who are homeless, dramatically 
transforming their lives.
  SSUSA uses team sports to deliver job and life skills training and 
other specialized services, ultimately connecting participants directly 
to jobs, education, and housing. It has a broad coalition of 
implementing parties in 18 cities across the United States, including 
the Foundation for Change in Montgomery County in my district. The 
program's systemic approach is designed to build trust, self-esteem, 
discipline, and basic financial literacy. Mentoring and goal setting 
practices are designed to transform lives and address barriers like 
drug addiction and mental instability head on.
  In 2010, SSUSA launched a research initiative with four universities 
to examine the impact of sport based programming on marginalized 
populations and looking both at the impact of its 265 day a year 
programming and its single day events.
  Since its creation in 2007, SSUSA has a history of success including 
410 players placed in jobs and housing through 18 programs across the 
country. 92 percent of participants show a new motivation for life, and 
75 percent pursue further education, address substance abuse issues, 
reconnect with family, or address mental health issues.
  This June, members of the Montgomery County program joined over 200 
athletes overcoming homelessness from 18 cities across the United 
States to compete alongside an estimated 500 youth, adult, and 
corporate team players as part of the nation's premier sport for social 
change event in D.C. The Cup attracted national media attention and 
participation from professional athletes, and involved grassroots 
outreach throughout the Spring and Summer. I am proud that the 
Montgomery County team took home a second place finish to the Street 
Soccer Minneapolis team during a hard-fought battle that ended in 
overtime penalty kicks.
  Top achievers on and off the field were selected to represent the 
United States men's and women's teams at the 56 Nation Homeless World 
Cup in Paris, France in August.
  Two members of the Montgomery County program, Salvador ``Chamba'' 
Matos and Alvaro Gonzales, were among the 16 chosen from 8 different 
cities to represent our country in Paris. Both have returned safely and 
are now employed, housed, and using their free time to help others who 
are in the situation where they once found themselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of 
this year's participating Street Soccer USA Cup teams and the players 
chosen for the national teams. They are among a distinguished group of 
individuals dedicated to improving their lives.
  I also want to recognize SSUSA's entire staff of employees and 
volunteers, who work so hard to strengthen their organization and help 
so many, and extend to them my best wishes for many successful years 
ahead. They are demonstrating that ending homelessness is a team sport.

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