The loss that mobilized a movement
Our original purpose behind our founding and current work is to save and improve lives through soccer. That was the purpose behind our founding following the violent death of student Eric Dixon in 2009 at the hands of fellow student and it has remained the motivation for everything we’ve done since. We started as an organization for Kensington teenagers in 2010 and have expanded to serve many younger children and a broader community, but we’ve maintained a strong focus on teens and have since formed adult programs to serve our players as they got older. Those original teens are now grown and form the core of our adult violence prevention and intervention programs both as staff and as participants.
Mission
Our mission is to help each of our teens and young adults to gain the conflict de-escalation skills, self-awareness, hope, and empathy to not want to harm others. It also means helping them find jobs, mental health services, education, food, and housing so they are better able to stay on that path. We accomplish all of the above by harnessing the powerful potential of sports, relationships, real world grounded mentorship, and positive peer support.
“Our goal is to reach, engage, and build relationships with teens and young adults most at risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and then guide them towards a positive path. We challenge them to make better choices and we train and support them so they have the tools to stay on that path.
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News and Stories on Gun Violence Prevention
Teen & Young Adult Perspectives and Stories
Youth Speaking Out Against Violence
Our youth are very attuned to the impacts of inequality in shaping their daily challenges. Over the year, our partner organizations and other local media agencies have highlighted some of our pensive youth. Overall these videos highlight the work we do year-round to encourage our youth to see themselves as actors and leaders in local change.
Features on Youth Activism
KSC Teen Leaders Attend Leadership Summit
Teen WorkReady Conflict Resolution Series
Youth Leadership Council Kicks Off
To learn more about Teen Leadership & Workforce Training, email Carlos@KensingtonSoccer.Org.
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Our Girls Empowerment Initiative (GEI) was founded by former volunteer coordinator Maria Blaszyzck and U12/U14 Girls Coach Carly Najera. In 2023, Brianna Banks, MSW led the Girls Empowerment Initiative to provide resources and initiate outreach for aspiring women athletes. Overall through their community service and team-building activities, Girls Empowerment Initiative was created to encourage young girls to serve their community by harnessing their creative and civic skills. (Click Here)
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Our SummerJumpstart program provides professional training and opportunities for our youth ages 14+. Teens work in soccer and enrichment programs throughout the city with mentoring and support from Kensington Soccer Club staff. During Summer 2023, SummerJumpstart teens organized to create their own block party for the community. (Click Here)
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Our Youth Leadership Council is at the heart of our empowerment mission. We encourage youth to make their voices heard at community meetings, through social media campaigns, and other public speaking opportunities. During the Summer 2023, Youth Leadership Council members participated in a panel on their experiences with gun violence, and participated in important conversation about these issues with stakeholders from throughout the city of Philadelphia. (Click Here)
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Reading ability is key to success in school.
So KSC begins with our youngest soccer players and their toddler siblings, providing books at soccer sessions. The S.A.V.E. program continues to give away books to participants of all ages through young adult. Book tables are set up at soccer practices, at team events in the KSC Clubhouse, and at community events, for children and parents to select any number of books. Coaches of KSC after-school programs give books to all the children in their programs. (Click Here)
Recent Features on Gun & Violence Prevention Initiative Partnerships:
Philly Truce Festival
KSC Coaches and Mentors Running Soccer Activities (View)
News Coverage of Philly Truce Day Festival and Soccer (View)
24th Police District
Philadelphia Inquirer: KSC Activities at District-Sponsored Block Party (Read More)
To learn more about information about partnerships, email Barbyose@KensingtonSoccer.Org.
Staff
Our key staff for this initiative all came through our programs and are from the community they’re serving. Intervention and Prevention Coordinator: Brianna Banks; Director of Teen and Adult Programs: Jakeema Burton; Director of Teen Coach Internships, Carlos Acosta. Meet the people who make our Gun Violence Prevention Initiative impactful, and community driven.
