Soccer for Success

 
 

Today’s program model

Soccer for Success remains the core out-of-school program for Youth Development United, offered three days per week during the fall, winter and spring. In addition, ‘Soccer Saturday’s are an opportunity for students from each site to compete in round-robin festivals throughout the spring against each other with each site acting as a host on a rotational basis. Soccer Saturday’s and out-of-school events allow for engagement with family members, reinforcing the messages that students receive on a daily basis from YDU coach-mentors.

Currently YDU provides after school programs at the following locations throughout the school year.

  • Stetser Elementary (Chester, PA)

  • Main Street Elementary (Upland, PA)

  • Edgmont Scholars Academy (Chester, PA)

  • Lighthouse Hall (Eddystone, PA)

  • Chester Apartments (Chester, PA)

If you would be interested in having your child participate or you are are teacher or administrator interested in learning more, please email info@youthdevunited.org.

More than just soccer

What started as a simple after-school program to engage youth, providing them with daily reinforcement for healthy living and positive mentorship, grew well beyond kicking a ball around. YDU was established because of the impact that sports and recreation can have on a child’s life and we have been fortunate to provide countless meaningful experiences for youth in the following ways.

  • Field Trips

  • College Visits

  • Construction of raised bed gardens

  • Soccer festivals with teams from other areas

  • Meeting college and professional players

  • Equipment and cleat give-aways

  • Attendance at college and professional games

  • Summer Camps

How it all started

In 2012, then Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Widener University and current YDU Executive Director Brent Jacquette, led a collaborative supported by Widener University, Crozer Hospital and the Philadelphia Union who received a grant from the US Soccer Foundation and the Social Innovation Fund to launch Soccer for Success in the Chester and Upland communities. The program initially was called Chester Upland Soccer for Success.

Soccer for Success Pillars:

Physical Activity | Health & Wellness | Mentorship Community Engagement | Safe Spaces

To ensure long-term sustainability and to build upon the momentum of the program, Chester Upland Youth Soccer was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the summer of 2017. CUYS earned a Guidestar Seal of Transparency in 2020.

Since its inception, the program has engaged over 8700 youth throughout the communities of Chester, Upland and Eddystone.