The impact of consistency can be difficult to measure, but for a child, it can mean everything.
It means having people who show up for you, day after day and year after year. A coach who knows you. A tutor who helps when school is difficult. A meal you can count on. A place to learn, play, build friendships, ask questions, and grow.
For the majority of young people in GOALS, that consistency spans much of their childhood and adolescence. Soccer may bring them to us, but they grow up with much more: education, health, leadership, friendship, community, and people who believe in them.
This year, 16 young people reached 18 and completed their time as GOALS participants. We celebrated that milestone and all they have accomplished. As they move forward, younger children will have the opportunity to join the program and begin their own journey with GOALS.
Through our annual exit survey, these 16 young adults reflected on their years with us. On average, they participated in our programs for more than eight years, some growing up with GOALS for over 12 years.
Their words tell us what those years have meant.
Laura joined GOALS in 2014. When asked how she had changed, her answer was simple: “I used to be shy; now I am not shy anymore.”
Education is now one of her priorities. As she looks ahead, she connects her future to something she learned on the soccer field: “Just as in soccer matches, where I discipline myself to win, I will discipline myself to win the match of life.”
Orlandy also joined in 2014. He told us that GOALS taught him to think for himself and become a good leader. When he was chosen as captain of his school soccer team, he had the opportunity to put those lessons into practice. Now, he wants to “pass on everything that GOALS has taught me to others.”
Their experiences are reflected across the survey. Education received the highest score, with participants rating GOALS' impact on their motivation to stay in school or continue their education 4.88 out of 5. Confidence, leadership, and positive relationships also scored highly, and 11 of the 16 young people said they use what they learned in GOALS often or very often in their daily lives.
They told us about using communication to resolve conflicts, speaking up when they felt unsafe, supporting friends through difficult moments, leading others, and believing in themselves.
These young adults leave GOALS with confidence, relationships, life skills, and a desire to give back. Those qualities were built over years of showing up, participating, learning, and growing, with consistent opportunities and people there to support them along the way.
We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to their next chapters.