Our United Way Donor Choice Number is 14963.
News
2/1/11: First Shot
By Steve Baumann, President
UNICEF recently released a report entitled "The Children Left Behind" that examined inequality in well-being on a wide range of measures among children in 24 of the world's richest countries. (Click here for the full UNICEF article.) Our rankings here in the United States were among the worst. For material well-being we ranked 23rd, 19th in educational resources and 22nd in living space. For educational well-being we ranked 19th, 13th in math literacy and 24th in science literacy. For health well-being we ranked 22nd, 24th in complaints of health problems, 20th in healthy eating, and 16th in vigorous physical activity.
Here at Starfinder we are focused on the physical, educational and personal development of young people from underserved communities, inspiring them to achieve success both on and off the field. We promote youth leadership, a love of
learning, the benefits of teamwork and the rewards of commitment and responsibility. Our soccer activities promote physical, mental, and emotional development that nourishes the whole child. Through soccer we provide the opportunity for young people to enhance their personal fitness, perform to their athletic ability and learn skills that enhance their technical and tactical understanding of the game.
We also engage participants in a developmentally appropriate educational curriculum that promotes learning about diversity, tolerance, health, and decision-making. Through communication, teamwork, and perseverance with their mentors and peers, Starfinder youth find new reasons to be motivated about individual and school learning. Additionally, Starfinder supports the growth of individual character and leadership through the development of values and skills that: enhance physical, social, and academic competence; promote caring and respect for others; create connections to family, peers, neighborhood and school; and strengthen confidence, self worth, and aspiration.
2.jpg "Youth from Soccer Girls Rule")
These rankings are intractable, but here at Starfinder we work daily to do our part to enhance the health, educational, and personal well-being of all of our participants. We strive to create pathways which once followed will move children ahead, not leave them behind. I am hopeful that articles in this month's newsletter will provide you with some concrete examples of the good work we are doing.
Photos: Above -- Senior Leaders with mentors from Penn State University; Below -- Middle school girls in the Soccer Girls Rule progam.
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