Philadelphia is welcoming people from across the globe for the World Cup, but many communities across our city have been building a soccer culture long before the global spotlight arrived around the block, reporter Pok stopped by a youth soccer practice session in Finnigan Playground in Southwest Philly to find out more.
P.O.C. In Southwest Philadelphia, the Donna Marie Foundation has partnered with Street Soccer USA to use the game as a tool for community building, helping immigrant and refugee families connect, adapt and find belonging. I first spoke with founder Aisha Campbell about how this personal family experience grew into a program that’s changing lives through soccer.
Aisha Campbell The foundation initially started from my sisters, Donna Marie. She was deported back to Jamaica, and we started that foundation to help women and families re-assimilate themselves when they got deported. What we initially found that is like, for instance, my sister Donna, a lot of them, they get deported. They still have family, children. That’s back here. My family personally, my husband, my son, my kids, other kids. They play soccer and it’s a part of family, brings cultural together. It brings people together. And that was a way for different children’s, different immigrant backgrounds and for them to actually coexist and get to learn about each other’s culture. So we help the families, the mothers, the fathers, but also when we notice that with the children, it’s a different world. You coming to the U.S., it’s a big thing. It’s hard to adapt. And this way they can meet new children. It is a very worldwide sport. So that was a commonality. So that was one of the things that brought them together. And we started. My husband became a coach and we decided that we’re going to actually push this program through. We saw what it did for our kids, so we wanted to extend it to other kids between West Philly and Southwest Philly. We started the program in West, and then we branched out to southwest because we actually started practicing and doing some training sessions here at Finnegan. And once we started here, kids would walk past. Families would walk back. They liked the program. They like the concept of it. And so we just started recruiting kids. So we have literally a melting pot.
P.O.C. For the Donna Marie Foundation. Soccer is about much more than what happens on the field. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping young people feel connected to their communities. That vision comes to life through the coaches who work with these young athletes every day.
Tsega McDermott I’m Tsega McDermott, aka Coach Taz. I’m with Street Soccer USA program director. So Street Soccer USA is a non-profit organization who use soccer as a tool to kind of engage with youth. It’s geared towards underserved communities. We’re trying to break down the barriers between pay to play and just giving kids access to the beautiful game. For the most part, whether you’re a novice or a beginner, we have all different levels for that as well. We never really turn anybody away. These are more Recreational. And as you see, these are the more talented group. What we end up doing is building these travel teams. We give them a little bit more opportunity to do more things, and then we keep the beginners coming up that rank as well. Our aim is just to make sure that when every time you show up, you feel belonged, you feel like the opportunities for you as well and your skill set shouldn’t really matter. It’s just like give you opportunity to grow within this space. I’m from the island of Jamaica. I’m very passionate about the game, and my journey started with somebody giving me an opportunity, meaning showing up in a vacant space where we create moments and memories.
P.O.C. While coaches and community leaders help create these opportunities, the real impact can be heard and the voices of young people themselves. From making new friends to dreaming about playing professionally. One day, these athletes are showing us what soccer means to the next generation. I asked several players. What do they love most about the game, and what do they hope to see for the future of soccer, specifically here in the city of Philadelphia?
Farhan My name is Farhan. I’m twelve and I live in West Philadelphia. By playing soccer, like I can meet new people like at parks and stuff.
Briana My name is Briana. I’m ten, I’m from Pennsylvania, so there’s a lot of things I love about soccer, but I really love beating my opponent. I think that the future soccer would look like that. All of the contestants could get along with each other. No fighting, no arguing, no cussing, no whatsoever.
Prince Um, my name is Prince. I’m fourteen years old and I’m from Southwest Philadelphia. Uh, soccer is a really cool sport. And in my country, Liberia, like the original sport over there is soccer. And everybody wants to be the best. Everybody wants to make it pro. You got to push yourself to become the best player. You got to push yourself to get the best out of your teammate. That’s what I love about soccer.
P.O.C. The players aren’t the only ones who see impact. Coaches who spend time with these young athletes every week say that soccer provides structure, mentorship and a positive outlet that extends far beyond the game itself. Hear from Coach Alton, the glue for connecting the Donna Marie Foundation and Street Soccer USA.
Coach Alton So with soccer being an option, it kind of keep them focused. And what better investment than invest in the youth, which are the future?
P.O.C. While FIFA may be bringing spotlight to the City of Philadelphia, organizations working in neighborhoods across the city remind us that soccer’s impact goes far beyond the stadium. For families in Southwest Philadelphia, the game continues to serve as a bridge between culture, community, and opportunities for the next generation. Block by block, it’s your girl, P.O.C.
This story was broadcast as part of the June 21, 2026 episode of Around the Block.
Note: This transcript was machine-generated and may contain some spelling errors or other inaccuracies.