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From the beginning, the goal was clear: create a space where Lawrence’s young people could play, belong, and grow. Fifteen years later, that same purpose continues to guide us. What began as the City’s first girls’ soccer team, with 12 girls and one determined mom-and-daughter duo on the sidelines, has grown into year-round programming that supports healthy living, mental and physical wellness, leadership development, and academic achievement.
With the support of friends, families, partners, and donors, Beyond Soccer has served nearly 9,000 young people since 2011 (currently reaching 1,400 annually) through programming built around relationships. Our model is rooted in community, and so is our leadership. Many of the adults guiding young people today first came to Beyond Soccer as players themselves. In fact, almost all of our coach-mentors grew up in the program.
In fifteen years, the Beyond Soccer team has:
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Moved from a tiny office space to our current Headquarters at Riverwalk District where we have our own fitness space, teaching kitchen, and academic lab.
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Recruited and supported more than 150 current and former players as paid mentors –generating $750,000 in youth wages- while building workforce skills and guiding the next generation.
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Maintained a 98% high school graduation rate among year-round participants and awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors since 2022.
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Mobilized alumni, community, and local college volunteers to provide over 3,500 hours of tutoring in our Academic Overtime Lab.
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Developed the innovative curricula, Resilient Girls, to expand girl-focused programming, and Fuel for Performance, a nutrition and wellness program created in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital and delivered through our teaching kitchen.
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