South Bronx United
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| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Andrew So |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Focus | Youth development, association football, education |
| Headquarters | South Bronx, New York City |
Region served | South Bronx |
| Services | Youth soccer programs, academic support, college preparation, immigration assistance |
| Award | Laureus Sport for Good Award (2020) |
| Website | southbronxunited |
South Bronx United is a nonprofit youth soccer organization based in South Bronx, New York City.[1]
South Bronx United is the recipient of the 2020 Laureus Sport for Good Award.[2] The organization has also received grant funding to support year-round soccer and academic programs serving young people in the South Bronx.[3]
South Bronx United was founded in 2009 by Andrew So, a former public school teacher in the Bronx, and his wife, Steph.[2] The organization was established in response to limited recreational and educational opportunities available to youth in the South Bronx, particularly within immigrant and low-income communities.[1]
According to So, the organization was designed not only to expand access to organized sports, but also to provide college preparation, immigration assistance, and broader pathways for youth development beyond athletics.[1] By 2013, South Bronx United had grown into a multi-team club with both competitive teams and a recreational league, serving hundreds of players across multiple age groups.[4]
As the organization expanded, South Bronx United gained recognition for its integrated approach to youth development. In 2020, the organization received the Laureus Sport for Good Award, an international honor recognizing the use of sport as a tool for social change.[2]
Programs
South Bronx United operates year-round programs that combine organized soccer with academic, college-access, and social support services for youth in the South Bronx.[1] The organization’s model uses soccer as an entry point for broader youth development rather than as a standalone athletic program.[5]
In addition to soccer training and competition, South Bronx United provides academic support services, including tutoring and college preparation programming, as well as immigration-related assistance and guidance for participants and their families.[1]
The organization’s programming serves youth across multiple age groups and emphasizes long-term pathways beyond high school, including college access and leadership development.[5] In 2023, South Bronx United received grant funding to support its year-round soccer and academic programs in the South Bronx.[3]