Soccer4Change
Soccer4Change is a comprehensive collective approach to soccer outreach; blending innovative components from Montgomery County Recreation's successful Winter Futsal program and outreach strategies from our partnering agencies. This program has been designed to eliminate the barriers of participation for our middle and high school population and connect our young people to critical developmental assets through soccer.
Montgomery County Recreation, Identity, Inc., Street Outreach Network, City of Gaithersburg and other nonprofit agencies have partnered to create Soccer4Change as a year-round outdoor soccer outreach initiative.
Soccer4Change aims to reduce the sense of isolation, despondency and social adjustments, that cause youth to participate in more risky behaviors by creating a pathway between school and out-of-school time support, opportunities, programs and services while reinforcing positive characteristic development through the four Characteristics of A.R.T.T. (Accountability, Respect, Trustworthiness and Teamwork). The program helps participants increase emotional competences including emotional management, problem solving, self-efficacy and connection to the community.
View photos from the 2023 season here.
Soccer4Change is a countywide program that targets the Germantown, Watkins Mill, Gaithersburg, Wheaton and Silver Spring areas. Fields are provided throughout the County with games held at a central location.
In 2016, Montgomery County had an initiative to develop a plan to aide in gang prevention activities through soccer. Partnering agencies came together to develop a program that could address the following areas: Building Trust and Community, Understanding Commitment, Exploring Health and Wellbeing, Practice and Skill Development, Competitive Play, Enrichments and Experiential Learning and Acts of Service.
There is no cost to participate in Soccer4Change. This program aims to level the playing field by bringing high-quality after-school activities to students and their families for no fee.
Students who participate/enroll in a partnering agencies' program can participate. Our partnering agencies who enroll teams into our Soccer4Change league are: City of Gaithersburg Recreation Department, Identity, Inc., Street Outreach Network or one of our Youth Development Middle or High School Programs (RecXtra, Excel Beyond the Bell Middle and RecZone).
With Soccer4Change we understand that high-quality after-school activities are important for all young people. Since space is limited, we encourage you to reach out to one of the partnering agencies and get your name on the waitlist. We only have room for ten high school boy's teams (twelve during the spring season) and four high school girl's teams, ten middle school boy's teams and six middle school girl's teams at this time.
General Information
For general information about Soccer4Change or the Futsal Program contact the Youth Development Office at 240-777-8080.
Program Information
For program registration and program specific information contact Carlos Castro at 240-777-6925 or Carlos.Castro@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Volunteer
For more information on how to become a Soccer4Change coach, volunteer or provider, please contact the Youth Development Office at 240-777-8080 or email Carlos.Castro@montgomerycountymd.gov.