Charlotte nonprofit aiming to use soccer to improve reading skills of students

CHARLOTTE — A local foundation in Charlotte has found a unique way to combine physical activity and reading to teach kids the importance of both activities.

The Soccer Foundation of Charlotte has the mission of improving both the soccer and reading skills of kids. The nonprofit provides free after-school soccer at 18 Title I Charlotte-Mecklenburg Elementary Schools.

The organization serves many immigrant and refugee families.

“I do think when you roll out a soccer ball, it just breaks down so many barriers,” said the foundation’s Executive Director Katie Phillips.

The idea came about after the founders were trying to find ways to combine reading with another fun activity that would engage children.

“We would have teachers come out and say, that dad’s never been to a parent teacher conference all year, but every Tuesday he’s in his lawn chair watching his child play soccer,” said Phillips.

“So we were like, wow, we really feel like we have the key to these communities, how can we leverage that for something more? And literacy came up over and over again,” Phillips added.

At the end of practice each day, coaches spend 15 minutes reading aloud to the kids, while also engaging with them by asking a variety of questions.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Channel 9′s Elsa Gillis talks with the organizers of The Soccer Foundation of Charlotte about the benefits the nonprofit brings.

Soccer FC has been around for almost six years. They added the literary piece in the last two. Charlotte FC has become a big partner, allowing them to expand from about five schools to 18.

If you’re interested in supporting what they do, there are two needs: One, you can donate books; Or, become a soccer coach, which is a huge need. For more information on how to help, visit their website at soccerfc.org.

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