South Bronx United Unveils New Clubhouse, Mini-Field
South Bronx United Expands with Brand New Athletic Facility and Space for Learning
The Bronx, N.Y. – Last week South Bronx United unveiled a new clubhouse, with an indoor mini-pitch and classroom, as they expand their youth development programs that use soccer as a vehicle for social change and help young people in the community grow as leaders and scholars. The new clubhouse, a block south of Yankee Stadium on River Avenue, offers a permanent space available for young people to gather after school, complete homework, play small-sided pickup soccer, benefit from individual tutoring, and attend academic and college prep workshops.
South Bronx United, a 501c3 nonprofit organization funded primarily by private foundation grants, individual donations, and corporate sponsors, received financial support from several entities to complete the Clubhouse’s buildout. LeagueApps, a technology and community platform designed to power local and youth sports experiences, raised $50,000 for the space through its FundPlay campaign. Additional funding has been provided by the Hyde and Watson Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good USA Foundation, the M&T Charitable Foundation, AO Impact (the philanthropic arm of the American Outlaws), and Turf Tek USA. South Bronx United is additionally a grantee of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
South Bronx United has served the Bronx community since 2009, providing soccer programs, academic enrichment, college prep, mentoring, immigration legal services, and community support that now reach more than 1,400 young people annually. It has grown from a soccer club to provide academic mentorship, leadership development, and legal immigration services. The organization has demonstrated improved academic outcomes with its SBU Academy program participants achieving a 100% high school graduation rate and a 94% college matriculation rate over the past ten years.
“I started South Bronx United to provide enriching, character-building opportunities for youth through soccer, academics, and mentorship,” said South Bronx United’s Executive Director and co-founder, Andrew So. “The SBU Clubhouse will go even farther in expanding this impact for South Bronx youth by providing a safe space at a time when many young people desperately need it.”
“Most of my friends are from the club, and now the clubhouse is always open,” remarked Arleth Merino, a high school senior who joined the SBU Academy in 2019. “The staff is never judgmental. I'll be excited to come back as an alumna when I go to college.”
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South Bronx United uses soccer as a tool for social change aiming to help youth build character, teamwork, and leadership so that they can succeed in high school, college, careers, their community, and beyond. South Bronx United strives to promote educational achievement, health and wellness, and character development through activities on and off the soccer field and to unite a diverse group of individuals and an incredibly diverse community toward common positive goals.
Learn more here: southbronxunited.org or support South Bronx United through its 12th Annual Benefit by visiting celebratesbu.com. For inquiries related to renting the SBU Clubhouse, visit southbronxunited.org/clubhouse.
