Fútbol Con Corazón
This entry has been selected as a finalist in the
Changing Lives Through Football competition.
Fútbol Con Corazón is a grass-roots social change model which utilizes soccer's calling power to provide new life opportunities for 1,800 vulnerable boys and girls, ages 5-16, in Colombia’s Caribbean coast who live below the poverty line. This extra-curricular holistic program focuses on three areas: athletic training using the “soccer for peace” methodology; values-based experiential workshops focusing on gender, conflict resolution, and tolerance among other crucial values; and well balanced nutrition. I invite you to watch a special report by ESPN about our social impact through the soccer: http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/videohub/video/clipDeportes?id=975730&ca...
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Samuel
Last Name
Azout
Organization
Fundacion Futbol con Corazon
Country
Colombia, ATL
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Fundacion Futbol con Corazon
Organization Website
Organization Phone
57 5 3692273
Organization Address
Carrera 59 # 74-51
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Organization Country
Colombia, ATL
Your idea
Name Your Project
Fútbol Con Corazón
Country your work focuses on
Colombia, ATL
Describe Your Idea
Fútbol Con Corazón is a grass-roots social change model which utilizes soccer's calling power to provide new life opportunities for 1,800 vulnerable boys and girls, ages 5-16, in Colombia’s Caribbean coast who live below the poverty line. This extra-curricular holistic program focuses on three areas: athletic training using the “soccer for peace” methodology; values-based experiential workshops focusing on gender, conflict resolution, and tolerance among other crucial values; and well balanced nutrition. I invite you to watch a special report by ESPN about our social impact through the soccer: http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/videohub/video/clipDeportes?id=975730&ca...
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
When a child joins Fútbol Con Corazón in his neighbourhood, he knows he will not be playing “soccer as usual.” The “soccer for peace” methodology calls for mixed girl-boy teams in various age categories, a practice that is alien to the social context in which the children are growing up. Twice a week, our children engage in experience-based values workshops, which emphasize the four core values to be demonstrated and evaluated on the playing filed: honesty, solidarity, respect and tolerance.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Since its inception in 2007, Futbol Con Corazon has built program sites in 4 excluded neighborhoods of Barranquilla and 1 site in the rural municipality of Galapa. Each site includes a building with a dining hall, kitchen and classroom space, and bathrooms, along with 2 soccer fields and a playground. FCC serves 1,800 boys, girls and youth ages 5-16 Monday-Saturday. During 2010, FCC will spend considerable resources to measure impact on children in the program, utilizing culturally-relevant instruments. The video that is attached to this submission provides 2 case-studies of positive impact on two children of the foundation. Additionally, FCC's investments in the participating communities have had positive ripple effects that include grass-roots neighborhood improvement projects, the rise of a leadership club, and ecological awareness projects.
Problem
Fútbol Con Corazón fills a dangerous void in before-and-after-school programs for Barranquilla’s poor youth. Due to budget shortfalls and overpopulation, children go to school for half a day only. During the remaining free time, many children fall prey to the enticements of gang activity, prostitution, recruitment by illegal armed groups, and drugs. Intra-family violence and high levels of crime complicate an already impossible situation. Fundación Fútbol Con Corazón acts as a safety net for children who are enrolled in school (a condition for membership). Each participant benefits from three distinct services at the local FCC center: “soccer for peace” training; experiential values workshops; and a nutrition/hygiene component. Children spend approximately 8 hours per week in FCC activities. Tournaments are held on Saturdays, when parents and the community are invited to visit and become involved. In sum, FCC becomes a center of constructive community integration, a safe space for 1,800 children and their families.
Actions
With 5 sites in full operation, 2010 will be a year for evaluation, assessment of impact, and strengthening of the operation. FCC works with local government, private sector, and non-profit organizations to obtain support for its programs. We are also grant recipients from major charitable foundations such as Jacobs Foundation, SAB-Miller Bavaria, Fundación Exito, and others. Futbol Con Corazon aims to become an example of world-class non-profit enterprise and management in our region.
Results
The 1,800 children involved with FCC will continue to consistently receive high-quality services in our 5 sites, where trained professionals will oversee and evaluate their progress, teach them life skills through athletic and values training, and improve social outcomes as measured by our evaluation tools. In addition, our social services and athletic staff will receive ongoing professional development.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
FCC aims to ensure project sustainability for at least three years ahead of site launches. In addition to Seed Funds (monthly donations from 18 entrepreneurs) and grants, we aim to become a sustainable organization utilizing market-based income-generating projects. Our flagship sustainability project is described below:
•Recreational Soccer Fields: FCC is in the process of building a soccer facility in a high-income neighbourhood. We received the necessary funding for building this facility from the private sector.
In addition to this large-scale project, we engage in ongoing fundraising projects such as adopt-a-child (200 godparents who contribute USD $16 per month); “Club 100,” our corporate program ($500/year); team sponsorships and billboard advertising.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Our challenges are mostly logistical in nature. Given the locations of our sites, there is a fragile communications infrastructure which sometimes hinders cross-site communications. However, managers make weekly site visits to ensure proper program implementation and solve issues as they arise.
There are no direct threats to the program, as FCC has been welcomed and supported in all segments of civic life, from local and national government, to local neighborhood councils and schools and private industry. As long as these sectors continue to believe in the work, we will continue to thrive.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
Colombia, ATL
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Fundación Fútbol Con Corazón
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Fútbol con Corazón values cross-organization ties and alliances. We have assembled a number of corporate, civic, and non-profit partners, and we are constantly looking to expand and strengthen relationships with them.
•Jacobs Foundation: This Swiss organization is our partner in two interventions, La Paz and El Pueblo (750 children). Jacobs provides the funds needed to sustain these programs.
•Nutrir Foundation operates our dining halls and contributes its “know how”; their nutritionists visit three times a week to conduct follow up with severely malnourished clients.
• Alta Consejería para la Reintegración Nacional (ACR) and Phillip Morris-Coltabaco: The first is a federal government entity; the second is a large corporation. Together, they provided funds to build the soccer fields and the community facility in El Pueblo.
•Seed Fund: Eighteen entrepreneurs who provide ongoing project funding.
•SABMiller-Bavaria provides funding for the sustainability of La Chinita (200 children)
•Comunidad de Madrid provides funds for the sustainability of La Playa (300 children).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Completion of our income-generating facility; ongoing partnerships with existing and new funding sources; a strong professional team at the implementation level.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
There was no specific defining time as such, because this social intervention model is a product of my passion for soccer coupled with my interest and commitment to social development, which was materialized in October 2007 after completing my postgraduate studies in philanthropy at Harvard University.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
This innovative and effective social intervention model was based on the “Soccer for peace” methodology aimed at adults, created by the Colombian social scientists Alejandro Arenas and Agustin Ortiz, and adapted by Fútbol Con Corazón for children and youth, adding new rules and establishing a score system based on values. FCC coupled the soccer component with hands-on values workshops for peaceful community and family coexistence. A nutrition component was also added, thus addressing nutrition deficiencies and monitoring osteo-muscular development.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
GIVE TO COLOMBIA
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| IMG_8126.jpg | 23.52 KB |
| Logo_FCC.jpg | 254.9 KB |
| IMG_1775.jpg | 707.98 KB |
 | 147 weeks ago Fútbol Con Corazón has been chosen as a finalist in Changing Lives Through Football. |
| 158 weeks ago Samuel Azout updated this Competition Entry. |
| 160 weeks ago Samuel Azout updated this Competition Entry. |
| 160 weeks ago Samuel Azout updated this Competition Entry. |
| 160 weeks ago Samuel Azout updated this Competition Entry. |
| 160 weeks ago Samuel Azout updated this Competition Entry. |
| 161 weeks ago Samuel Azout submitted this idea. |
