Leadership skills can be developed. We use soccer to bring kids together to learn new skills and foster their unique talents. Our coaches serve as leaders in their local communities, so the kids grow up watching them in a leadership role.

Through our Purposeful Play curriculum and young leaders program youth learn principles of good communication, consistency, caring and credibility. They are provided decision making opportunities to empower them to make healthy decisions and our coaches encourage and recognize kids when they show leadership.

Mentoring positive traits such as self-confidence, self-discipline, good sportsmanship and respect all honor the game and lead to stronger relationships, better grades, and stronger commitments. Often, the kids become role models for their siblings, and we hear from parents that relationships within the home are improved.

Every month we focus on a theme for our coaches training which then in turn is brought to the field as the focus of Purposeful Play with the kids for that month. For March, our focus is on developing leadership. The games show the difference between positive/good leadership and negative/bad leadership with discussions on the impact of that.

We also discuss where leadership can be found. In these trying times having compassionate voices who are willing to stand up and speak out are critical. In the remote rural communities, we work in we see natural leaders stepping up every day. By fostering a new generation of young leaders, we are strengthening the fabric of the community.

Haiti is facing a major political crisis and the country is barely functioning with thousands of people taking to the street demanding change and the opportunity to take care of their families. Modeling effective leadership and developing local leaders improves not only the individual but the community at large.