Program Overview
The FSF Education Program was established to facilitate positive secondary school outcomes for participants of Fútbol Sin Fronteras Granada through a system of financial, academic, and social-emotional support that empowers participants to overcome barriers to success
The Fútbol Sin Fronteras Education Program was launched in 2014 in memory of Tom Pope, a young man who exhibited all of the characteristics of a well-rounded student-athlete: humility, dedication to school and team, integrity, hard work, care for self and others. The program was established in his honor by his family to provide educational and financial support to girls in FSF who have dedicated themselves to learning, to their team, and to their futures. With initial financial support from the Tom Pope Memorial Fund, with visioning and research by Veronica Balladares, Kelly (Pope) Casey, Helen Ramirez, and the FSF staff team, the program has grown over the last 7 years and provided:
Since its creation, the FSF Education program has awarded a total of 386 scholarships, including 359 secondary and primary school scholarships and 27 university scholarships.
2021 by the Numbers
Thank you to our 2021 Education Program supporters
Education Program Core Support: Tom Pope Memorial Fund, Girls Rights Project, The Blanco Family
University Scholarship Sponsors: Alex Warren, Collin Burks, Julia Blanco , Mary & Annie Connor
Contributors: Maddy Evans, Michael Sack & Sandi Sherr, Jonathan Azan, Danielle Weatherholt, Anna Barrett
In-Kind Support: The Boreiko Family, Exeter Pharma Consultancy
Supporting the Whole Person
Additional Supplies Provided
Recipients not only receive scholarship funds, but also the tools needed to attend school including: uniforms for school and sports, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, pens, and more.
Creating a Safe Space
New Office Space
We moved into our new office space in November 2020, with 2021 as our first full-year of programming. Highlights of the space include:
- Ample space for indoor and outdoor programs
- Office hours 3 times a week working in groups of 6-8 students
- High levels of flexibility and coordination among FSF staff, families, and schools as school schedules change frequently during the year
Whole-person health
Our program takes a holistic approach including workshops focused on mental health, COVID-19 precautions, and domestic abuse, a theme that has become more prevalent in the pandemic. These are paired with a space for fun, recreation, and play directed to both staff and participants.
- Time on the field: Provided an ongoing space for recreation, the opportunity to move, and play sport. This year it was more important than ever to have access to sport and social interaction to combat isolation.
- Educational workshops: Led in-person workshops with primary and secondary school scholarship recipients focusing on leadership and social-emotional learning skills. These featured a mix of both youth-led and staff-led content.
- Health education: Hosted an educational series led by program partner, Ixchen, including six workshops, one training session, and one round table discussion focused on public health and sexual health. The Ixchen-led workshops covered topics including: children’s rights, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and preventing pregnancy at an early age.
Technology access
The FSF office provided a safe space for girls to stay connected to coursework when schools pivoted to virtual and hybrid learning.
- Individualized support to scholarship recipients to help them navigate school scheduling changes
- Addition of five laptops opened doors for more girls to access technology at office
- Girls have access to printers to print homework packets and computers to practice keyboarding, and complete school assignments.
Family Outreach
Family outreach and meetings have been a significant aspect of the growth of the Scholarship Program. Aspects included:
- In 2021, the Bodega re-opened and youth and families could exchange participation points for food and school supplies
- Bodega visits enabled FSF staff to continue education on public health messaging and COVID-19 safety
- Phone calls home (93 households) to check in on girls’ progress and share program updates with families
"Since my daughter joined Soccer Without Borders, she has experienced significant changes in her life to the point that the teacher at her school comments that she has become more sure of herself, social, and participatory in class. I thank Soccer Without Borders because it’s the only organization working with girls that creates a safe space where they can raise their voices." -Taymara Guerrero Sotelo, participant parent
Program Spotlights
Diana Celeste Castillo
Diana is on track to graduate from technical college this year and plays on the Shooting Stars. She shared her story and advice:
"When I was on Team Fenix (Phoenix), Coach César suggested I apply for a secondary school scholarship. At the time, I was studying in a public school and the scholarship gave me the opportunity to study in a private school ... (When I) I went to study at Intecna (technical college) and chose to study Laboratory and Chemical Analysis, I began to learn completely new things every day. I discovered something that motivated me to continue studying, maintain good grades and perform as best as I can, once my hours were over ... (When I finished classes and started an internship) I was really nervous and saw it as a new challenge to gain new experiences ... I also remembered that it was a good opportunity to apply everything that my coaches at Soccer Without Borders have taught me."
"I am excited because I just accomplished one of my goals. This year I am graduating from my technical college and my parents are very proud of me. Now I am embarking on a new world and hope to have the opportunity to study at university, the major I have always dreamed of: a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry."
School PartnersHIPS
We have strengthened our partnerships with local schools in order to reach younger participants early in their academic career. Mirea Leal, teacher at Elsa Head Primary School, shared her observations on one of her students who is an SWB participant and the impact of the program in the community:
“She always comments at school that she is a scholarship recipient from Soccer Without Borders, that they give her notebooks, backpacks, and school uniforms. Plus she attends SWB’s homework hours and has improved with her homework and grades. She always comments that Helen helps her to complete her work. She has improved a lot, her grades are up, she completes work in class, and has a really good relationship with the other students and teachers."
"I am very pleased that this organization has changes the lives of many girls in Granada. They not only value soccer, but also academics and that is admirable. They make sure girls don’t go down the wrong road and that they have healthy minds. As a teacher, I am happy to see the growth of these young women.”
Primary School Program: Las Leonas
Las Leonas is an Under-12 team coached by Reyna Roblero, an FSF alumna and fourth year university student, studying nursing. Of 35 participants, 25 receive scholarships and the result is a team with high attendance on the field and in the classroom, and a collective culture where the girls have a high level of commitment to attend school, while providing mutual support and accountability to stay engaged in school.
“Las Leonas are constantly overcoming all challenges that come their way. They are great people and great athletes. I hope they continue to make sacrifices for their studies and that they always fight for their dreams. May that take advantage of the scholarship opportunity that has been given to many of them and make the best of it." - Reyna
Economic & Household Support
There is a positive impact on a participant's entire family when she receives a scholarship. The following was shared by Karla Guadamuz, mother of Emily Auxiliadora Medina Guadamuz, current participant on the Shooting Stars and in her third year of high school at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe:
“It was a huge breather for me when my daughter was awarded a school scholarship three years ago. We receive the benefit of monthly tuition payments to the school, school supplies and uniforms. I have three more children to look after and am a single mother. Both my daughter and I have learned a lot in this time about soccer. She has become more physically fit and her social relationships have strengthened — before she did not have many friends or people to share with — now she interacts with others more. From the scholarship program she has received support with school materials and with her learning and homework."
"My relationship and communication with my daughter has improved a lot, thanks to guidance from staff that teach her to value herself as an adolescent and young woman.”
"For parents, the impact has gone beyond having scholarships for their daughters. These days, parents are grateful for the support we provide to create a safe space for their daughters. Girls and young people need to be able to recreate and be distracted in the face of so much tension caused by the pandemic]. It has not been easy to adapt to new school systems ... The girls are excited to receive scholarships, and they responded by having high attendance and participation in other FSF activities." Veronica Balladares, FSF Program Co-Director
A Look Ahead to 2022
Across the country, high unemployment numbers are expected to continue rising and monthly school fees for private schools are expected to increase, making the need for the education program that much greater.
Fútbol Sin Fronteras is increasing accessibility to and flexibility of scholarships and expects to support additional households in 2022. This will increase support for uniforms and school supplies and provide rolling admissions for girls with high need, high attendance, and commitment to FSF values to join after the annual application round has closed.
expectations & needs for 2022
- A more consistent structure for office hours and that the office will operate at full capacity
- Full classes of girls (i.e. all first-year secondary students) will be able to attend homework hours at the same time
- Higher number of primary school scholarships, requiring additional funds to provide school materials and uniforms and homework support
- Increased technology investment such as computers to accommodate having more girls at office hours