Project GOAL

Project G.O.A.L. (Greater Opportunities for Athletes to Learn) focuses on social and educational after-school activities for disadvantaged youth in Providence, Rhode Island. We are comprised of education, business, and sports professionals whose mission is to facilitate the development of Rhode Island's disadvantaged youth through after-school tutoring and soccer-related programs. Our goals are to foster opportunity through the employment of a nurturing after school environment, academic tutoring, health/nutrition information, exercise, and safe facilities, while exposing the children and their families to models of positive healthy lifestyles. Our program is unprecedented in Rhode Island and Southern New England in that it:

• Combines the benefits of academic achievement with the motivation and self-discipline of sports.
• Promotes educational opportunity.
• Combats the growing problems of illiteracy, school delinquency, adolescent crime and obesity.

The organisation fills the gap created by major cuts in after-school programming and activities by offering an all-around programme that provides a haven and structured activities for students. Football is used to interest and attract young participants, who come from low-income and minority backgrounds.By integrating football coaching with tutoring and homework support, Project GOAL has seen the impact of its work in the rising school grades of its participants and the success of several of its number in gaining scholarships to highly rated schools

In addition to the weekly program offered throughout the school year, Project GOAL, through the generosity of a variety of sponsors, has been able to offer an annual two-week summer camp for free of charge for student participants. Tutors, all with backgrounds in education, are present in each classroom to help students complete their work and provide assistance when needed. After the completion of the academic portion of the day, students are expected to participate in formal soccer coaching sessions with members of the Project GOAL staff who have coaching certifications at a variety of different levels, from beginner to Olympic Development Program.

Project GOAL is fortunate to work closely with our local MLS club the New England Revolution. The team has sponsored a number of different events including autograph signings, coaching sessions, equipment drives, and visits to Gillette Stadium.