News

Here’s what’s happening at Starfinder.

  1. September 3, 2021

    Starfinder and Hurricane Ida

    The remnants of Hurricane Ida flooded Starfinder's field level, which includes our locker rooms, and Family Fuel food pantry. Read how you can help!
  2. March 8, 2021

    Starfinder kicks off Cocktails With a Kick! 2021

    Cocktails With a Kick! 2021 recognizes four exceptional community leaders that exemplify the mission of Starfinder and who inspire social change. Four awards will be presented digitally this week.
  9. May 28, 2020

    Starfinder receives support from the PHL-COVID 19 Fund

    Thanks to this grant, Starfinder can continue to serve youth with daily and weekly virtual programming, mentor outreach, guidance on resources and self care, and distributing laptops and soccer equipment.
  10. April 30, 2020

    An update on Starfinder's kids during COVID-19.

    We are working hard to stay connected with our youth and building new forms of virtual engagement to help them maintain structure in their day-to-day lives, be part of a positive social network, and stay physically active.
  16. February 18, 2019

    Starfinder awarded with a Premier League Grant

    Local ‘Soccer for Change’ nonprofit Starfinder is awarded with a Premier League Grant. Starfinder is one of only eight organizations in North, Central and South America to receive this Award!
  18. July 24, 2018

    100 MPH Ball Machine VS FC Bayern at Starfinder

    Just for fun! You have to check out this video featuring none other than Starfinder Field and the Starfinder Ball Machine (plus a few world class soccer players you might know)!
  20. July 15, 2018

    Starfinder student-athletes chosen to Strive!

    Each year Strive brings together student-athletes from high schools around the country and helps them become character leaders on and off the field. This year, two Starfinder student-athletes were chosen to participate in the Strive Sports Challenge: Justin Gilkin and Jessica Luna.
  21. July 1, 2018

    Two Starfinder teens chosen for Scholarship positions by Woza Soccer

    For the past two summer, Woza Soccer has awarded 11 full scholarships. Only a limited number of full scholarship recipients are selected. This year two Starfinder teens were awarded scholarships! During July, Kendra Chan will be traveling to Peru for 18 days, and Gregory Roach will be traveling to Malawi for 19 days.
  24. June 23, 2018

    Starfinder Foundation named Union vs. Vancouver Charity of the Match

    "We were so honored to be the Charity of the Match! Thank you, Philadelphia Union and PHLY Insurance, for shining a spotlight on Starfinder's programs. It was a huge moment of pride for our kids and our coaches to see Starfinder recognized on the big screen." said Heidi Warren, Executive Director at Starfinder Foundation.
  28. June 6, 2018

    Starfinder awarded 2018 Sports 4 Life Grant by Women’s Sports Foundation and espnW

    “Thank you, Women’s Sports Foundation!” said Heidi Warren, Executive Director of Starfinder. “The Sports 4 Life grant will help us give our girls more opportunities to compete in a spring soccer league, and practice both their soccer and their leadership skills. We’ll continue to support them with high quality coaching, academic support, mentoring, and a life skills curriculum, but nothing beats the learning opportunities (and confidence boost) of competitive play.”
  30. April 7, 2018

    Dillinger Does It at Starfinder!

    Manayunk Morning's Leo Dillinger recently visited Starfinder to learn how to kick a penalty shot from Starfinder's own Sammy Ortiz and Abdul Sule!
  33. November 9, 2017

    Starfinder wins the 2017 GSK IMPACT Award

    The GSK IMPACT award is highly competitive and highlights organizations that are working hand-in-hand with the community to improve barriers to health. Starfinder was among ten local nonprofits that were awarded $40,000 each. We’re so honored to be selected by GSK for this prestigious award recognizing Starfinder’s role in building a healthy community. Thank you GSK for helping us invest in our kids!
  34. October 17, 2017

    Cocktails with a Kick raises funds for Starfinder Foundation

    Cocktails with a Kick is a fundraising cocktail party benefiting Starfinder. This fun, social evening took place at Cozen O’Connor in Center City Philadelphia, PA. 150 guests from throughout Philadelphia area came to honor Braskem for championing Starfinder’s girls leadership program. This event raised $19,000 in program support for Starfinder.
  37. May 9, 2016

    Donors and Sponsors

    Thank you, Starfinder donors, for contributing $22,204 in response to the year-end appeal.Youth in the Senior Leaders program have been enjoying better equipment, more tutoring hours, and college visits because of your support.
    Brandywine
  38. May 9, 2016

    Corporate Days of Caring

    The kids who call Starfinder home know soccer is a team effort – and they’re also learning that life is a team effort. It’s a lesson we teach them but it’s also something they see every day when people and companies help us clean and fix up our indoor soccer field; much in the same way that city blocks come together for clean-up days.
    Days of Caring
  39. May 9, 2016

    College Exposure: Real Talk about College from Starfinder Alumni

    Getting into college – and thriving once you get there – can be tricky for any student, but it’s especially challenging if your parents didn’t go to college. This is the experience most Starfinder kids have, which is why we’ve focused so much more attention on college exposure over the past few years.
    College Roundtable
  43. May 2, 2016

    My Starfinder Family, My Starfinder Home

    A home is defined to be a dwelling place, together with the family, that offers security and happiness. I believe a home does not have to be a place; you can find comfort, security and happiness within a person. This is what I discovered in my Starfinder teammates and coaches.
    Fernando; Stafinder Family, Starfinder Home
  44. October 27, 2015

    “Starfinder has made me a better person.”

    At Starfinder, we’re committed to providing the highest quality programs for young people. Our work is research-informed and thoroughly evaluated. We collect data through surveys, report cards, fitness tests, and focus groups. The 2014-15 Senior Leader Program year was a huge success! Here’s how our students performed in our three program “pillars”.
    summer program
  46. April 5, 2015

    Youth Council Leads The Way

    In January Senior Leaders started taking the lead in a whole new way when Starfinder formed its first ever Youth Council.
    youth council
  47. April 5, 2015

    Senior Leaders earn points to "buy" items at Starfinder Store

    This year saw the launch of the Starfinder Store, where participants trade points for great gear. Students earn points for things like good attendance or earning our weekly award for exemplary behavior, and can redeem them for anything from water bottles to cleats to coveted Starfinder jackets.
    starfinder store
  48. April 4, 2015

    Starfinder from Sallen's View

    Sallen Woewiyu (Starfinder ‘12) recently joined a group of alumni to talk to our current Senior Leaders about applying to and attending college. Sallen, a communications student at Eastern University, wrote to us after the visit to say what Starfinder meant to him.
    sallen
  50. February 6, 2015

    Girls in Senior Leaders Program at all time high

    This Senior Leader Girls season is one for the Starfinder records! Coach Across America volunteer Casey Stewart led the charge in the fall to recruit girls to the Senior Leader Girls program. She visited high schools and soccer teams and challenged past participants to recruit new girls to the program.
    girls in senior leaders