Homeless soccer players plan fundraiser game against Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Marcus Kirby and Jeffrey Harvey of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office celebrate a goal against the Street Soccer Project Outreach Team during a match in 2010.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The Street Soccer Project Outreach Team, which is comprised of people who are either currently or formerly homeless, will be playing the WCSO team in the fourth annual “Beat the Streets with Soccer” match.
The game is a fundraiser to help the SSPORT team travel to New York City to compete in the U.S. Cup tournament against other teams of homeless players, said Linda Bacigalupi, SSPORT co-coach.
"It's just exciting to see all these types of people connect," said Bacigalupi, who is a mental health specialist for the Washtenaw County Community Support and Treatment Services department. "It helps them feel like they’re not alone and helps them connect with services eventually."
Street Soccer Project Outreach Team's Sam Mejia, left, chases down Jesse Smith of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office at a game in 2010.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at the WideWorld Sports Center, 2140 Oak Valley Drive in Ann Arbor. The event is free and open to the public.
Attendees can buy raffle tickets for $5 each for a chance to win various prizes donated by Washtenaw County retailers. T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be for sale starting at $15. All proceeds will go toward the SSPORT's New York trip.
The street soccer match will be paired with a new tournament this year. The Kevin Polk Memorial Midwest Tournament will have the WCSO and SSPORT teams playing matches with four other homeless soccer teams from across the country.
Team members will have a chance to play for the U.S. team at the Homeless World Cup in Mexico City, Mexico this fall.
Street soccer is a much quicker game compared to standard soccer matches, Bacigalupi said. It is played on a smaller field in a four versus four game, compared to seven on seven in standard indoor soccer.
SSPORT is connected with the Washtenaw County Homeless Project Outreach Team, which provides various services to the homeless community in Washtenaw County.
"We’ve found that its been very helpful as an engagement tool," Bacigalupi said. "It's less intimidating than trying to help someone in an office with forms and things. It's very interactive."
For more information on the Project Outreach Team and how to donate to SSPORT, visit: www.a2port.org.
For more information on the Homeless World Cup, visit: www.homelessworldcup.org.
Comments
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Just received word that U.S. Rep. John Dingell will be there with Washtenaw County Sherriff Jerry Clayton to kick off the street soccer tournament. From Dingell's news release: "The Street Soccer Team's vision is to use soccer as a tool to provide a healthy social activity for people in the homeless community, with the goal of providing a positive and empowering experience. The team also hosts an annual fundraiser challenge match against the local sheriff's office to promote fair play, camaraderie and cooperation between the cities homeless population and the police force. The Street Soccer Ann Arbor Program is a partnership of two Washtenaw County Social Services Programs - The Homeless Project Outreach Team, which serves the homeless, mentally ill population in Washtenaw County and the Justice Project Outreach Team, which serves individuals who are involved with the justice system and need mental health assistance. These outreach teams provide key services - including ongoing psychiatric services, including assessments, consultation, and medication management - to individuals who are homeless and those in the justice system who need mental health assistance."
Lola
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
That photo was actually from a Rock-Paper-Scissors match. The guy on our right won of course.
M
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Oh man, in the image at the top, that guy is totalling fiving a pound. You never five a pound.
Morris Thorpe
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Came here looking for this.