Grassroot Soccer at Temple uses the power of soccer around the world to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth as well as communities to overcome the greatest health challenges. Mission: Grassroot Soccer at Temple University utilizes the power of soccer around the world to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth to overcome the greatest health challenges in their respective communities (e.g. HIV/AIDS)
Vision: A university campus mobilized through soccer and education to create a healthy, AIDS-free, and Malaria-free generation in the surrounding communities of North Philadelphia. Strategy: To accomplish our mission and continued success towards our vision, we continuously improve the methods we utilize to educate university students and Philadelphians about the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. College Students are known to strive for success in their goals thus by inspiring college students we hope to create a network of educators around campus, the city, and the world. It is something so positive that it brings smiles to children’s faces even in the worst of circumstances like conflict-torn areas across the world such as Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Syria. In most places simply arriving at a field with a soccer ball will win you instant friendships and immediate access into a local community. Why HIV/AIDS?
36 million men, women, and children worldwide are currently infected with HIV.
17 million people, half of those currently infected, do not yet know their status.
26 million people, more than ¾ of those currently infected, do not receive proper anti-retroviral treatment. In 2011, youth (15-24) accounted for 40% of all new global HIV infections in people aged 15 years and older
How do we fight the spread of HIV? Grassroot Soccer’ at Temple University utilizes a curriculum focused on building basic life skills that help young adults adopt healthy behaviors and live risk-free. Our belief is that through education and awareness, humanity will fight to end HIV/AIDS as a public health crisis. Through a series of interactive activities, discussions, and lectures students gain a tangible understanding of HIV and AIDS and get a chance to practice the skills necessary for sustainable behavior change. Key curricular topics include making healthy decisions, avoiding risks, building support networks, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing knowledge about testing and treatment, addressing gender issues, and assessing values. Guest Lectures presented by experts in public health, scientific research, immunology, and social work
2. Football/ soccer related activities
3. Discussion-based learning about the socioeconomic & medical factors impacting HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
4. Linking our members and Temple University Students to local HIV/AIDS organizations in the Philadelphia area to provide them with volunteering experience
