Southern California - U.S. Soccer Foundation Officials Visit Red Shield Youth Center 'Field of Dreams'

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U.S. Soccer Foundation Officials Visit Red Shield Youth Center 'Field of Dreams'

soccer player at Red Shield It is known as the Poster Child of the U.S. Soccer Foundation's efforts to reach children in urban and economically disadvantaged communities. On Saturday, Feb. 24, members of the U.S. Soccer Foundation and guests had the opportunity to see firsthand The Salvation Army's Red Shield Youth Center and its "Field of Dreams."

Since 1950, the Red Shield Youth and Community Center has provided a safe and positive place for children and their families to learn and spend time together away from the dangers of the street. For too long, however, the Center’s soccer field – the only one in the Pico-Union neighborhood – could not meet the heavy demands of this predominantly Latino community. For several months of the year, the grass and dirt field had to be closed in an effort to restore and revive the field.

But in 2005, Red Shield received one of 10 All Conditions Fields Grants awarded each year by the U.S. Soccer Foundation and its national partner NikeGO to clubs leagues and communities interested in building synthetic grass fields that can be utilized in all conditions. In addition, the Foundation contributed funds to this project from a Neighborhood Initiative Program Grant it received from HUD for community-based soccer projects across the country.

"We are all so overwhelmed by the excellence of the field," says Irene Lewis, executive director of Red Shield. On Feb. 24, Lewis provided a 20-30 minute tour of the field and the Center, which includes classrooms, a large gym, computers, a swimming pool and more. She discussed the tremendous success of the Center’s soccer programming and the impact of the field as an asset in the community. Youth soccer games were scheduled on the field during this time so participants would have an opportunity to see the field in action.

"You can’t help but be impressed, if not overwhelmed, by everything that the Salvation Army has been able to accomplish at this location," says John Koskinen, National Board President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. "We’re delighted and proud to be involved."

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