1. Omaha Housing Authority Foundation
: SOCCER ACADEMY

2. Mission
OHA
To provide safe, secure, quality affordable
housing and help build a foundation for
homeownership while promoting selfsufficient living.
OHA Foundation Soccer Academy
To provide low-income, inner-city youth and
refugee youth an opportunity that reinforces
positive lifestyle choices and
educational/social skills through soccer.

3. Our Story
Founded in 2008, the OHA Foundation’s Soccer
Academy provides a venue for participation in the
sport of soccer, serving as a catalyst for change in
the Omaha community.
The Academy works with youth ages 6-18,
with over 400 youth participating to date.

4. Why SOCCER?
The Academy allows area youth, predominantly
refugees, to engage in athletics (“the real
football”) as they assimilate and adjust to
American culture.
SOCCER and team sports
dissuade youths of the
Omaha projects from gangs
and drugs, promoting an
active lifestyle while
breaking down linguistic and
cultural barriers.
The program has engaged
over 400 youths.

5. Empowering Youth
The need for this program is simple: the city of Omaha is in crisis.
Of 100 of the nation’s largest metropolitan cities, Omaha
ranks third highest for rate of poverty amongst African
Americans.
Additionally, 59.4% of children in North Omaha are born and
reared in poverty.
Further, although African Americans comprise only 4.5% of Nebraska’s
population, they make up about 40% of homicide victims. More
surprisingly, over 55% of those homicide victims are between the ages of
15-24.
It is in this environment that hopelessness is erected. We recognize that
poverty and lack of educational attainment are primary factors that lead
youth to become involved in risky activities, gangs, violence, and crime.
The OHA Soccer Academy dismantles hopelessness by
empowering youth and equipping them with the tools and skills
necessary to break cycles of poverty, violence, and depression.

6. Academy GOALS




help youth cultivate and
develop life skills
(confidence, respect, sports
manship, teamwork, selfworth)
teach the techniques and
rules of soccer
promote physical health
prevent truancy



provide tutoring, college
prep
provide a positive outlet for
youth
afford low-income/innercity youth the opportunity
to participate on an
organized, structured team
with quality coaches

7. Project Outcomes




Increase the number of low-income, inner-city
youth/refugees who participate in the OHA Soccer
Academy, Premier Clubs, and middle/high school
soccer programs by 25%. (During the Spring, we had
over 360 participants—our Fall goal is to exceed 400.)
Increase school attendance and academic performance
in youth ages 6-18. (Track school attendance and help
assure that youth miss less than 4 days of school per
semester; soccer participants will attend the study
center at least 3 times per week and grades will be
tracked by our Academic Achievement Coordinators.)
Players are require to participate in all OHA educational
activities.
Increase youth participation in OHA/community antigang, anti-violence and after-school activities. Our goal
is for all youth who participate in the Soccer Academy
to also participate in other activities sponsored by OHA
and community partners.)

8. Project Outcomes, cont’d











120 youth participated in ENSA's Spring Soccer
150 youth participated in a soccer camp sponsored in part
by Creighton & Penn State University's Men's Soccer Team
265 youth participated in OHA Soccer Academy camp/tryouts
29 youth participated in Azzurri camp
50 youth participated in Azzurri tournament
Over 50 players are either playing for their High
School, Jr. High, or Elementary school
32 players participated in Latino Summer League
7 players participated with NFC Telect team
10 players participated in Omega Psi Phi: Project
Manhood
14 players selected for OHA scholarship/college prep
program
7 players participated in the Step-Up Omaha employment
program

9. Project Outcomes, cont’d
Players also participated in a variety of anti-crime
activities that allowed them to remain engaged in
their community while making positive choices:
Men of Distinction
Conference, MCC (North
campus)
OHA's Project Aspiration (life
skills for male youth)
Malcolm X Center (events
and activities)
Peter Kiewit Foundation's
Summer Fun Program
Various recreational activities
(bowling, roller skating, etc)

10. Funding



Pledged funds will support a variety of program essentials:
equipment (shoes, game balls, scrimmage vests)
fees (field usage, Nebraska Futbul Club, NSSA, NSL/ENSA
registrations, tournament registration/costs, administration)
professional/coaching/trainer fees

11. Projected Expenses
Eastern Nebraska Soccer League
Field cost
Equipment
Indoor League
Nebraska Soccer League
NFC & Azzurri Club Select
Training/coaching fees
Summer league
Travel/transportation
Tournaments
Camps
$3,500
$2,000
$3,000
$1,800
$3,500
$2,500
$3,000
$1,200
$2,500
$3,000
$1,500
$27,500

12. Partnerships
Through an innovative and engaging “modeling”
environment, the Soccer Academy leverages the
talents and resources of its strategic partnerships to
reinforce and sustain the program, having already
established working relationships with:












Nebraska State Soccer Association
NFC
Omaha Public School District
Soccer International
Eastern Nebraska Soccer Association
Creighton University Soccer
Omaha Police Department
YMCA, Girl Inc.
Outward Bound Omaha
US Soccer Foundation
City of Omaha
AZZURRI Soccer Club

13. Program Staff












Sal Issaka: Director, Family and Community Services of OHA
(19 years); Ghana native; former player; oversees the Soccer
Academy Program; coaches U10 and U12 boys teams
Seth Quartey: Creighton student; Ghana native; former
player at North High School; coaches U16 & U17 teams
Rachelle Tucker: OHA staff (7 years), Club Manager
James Mason: OHA staff, Assistant coach
Billy Quartey: Ghana native; coaches U13 & U14 teams
Cedric Cooper: OPS educator
Osuman Issaka: Assistant Coach
1 CU Assistant Coach: Volunteer trainer
Mohamed Farivari: founder, Azzurri Soccer club, Adviser
Nebraska Futbul Club staff advisers
2 OHA Family and Community Outreach Coordinators:
recruiting & transportation
3 parent volunteers

14. Program Contact
Sal Issaka
Omaha Housing Authority Foundation, Inc.
4401 North 21st Street
Omaha, NE 68111
sissaka@ohauthority.org
402-444-7100 Ext 212