Starfinder Foundation has received a $5,000 grant from the Green Tree Community Health Foundation in support of its Soccer Girls Rule program. Announcement of the grant was made by Susan Hansen, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Foundation, on behalf of the Board of Trustees. 

Soccer Girls Rule is a unique physical activity and educational program for underserved pre-adolescent girls that incorporates the latest research on girls and physical activity to address the barriers that inhibit the attraction, engagement, and retention of female participation in sports.

As part of this grant, Starfinder will expand the participation and enhance the health education components of its girls program at Jay Cooke Elementary School in the City’s Logan section.  Through participation in this program, girls improve their knowledge about interpersonal relations, develop healthy eating habits, and embrace physical activity as a critical ongoing component of their adolescent and adult lifestyle.

“Urban girls face particular cultural and societal challenges that discourage them from participating in sports.  These obstacles can impede the social interactions and confidence that comes from playing sports and distort their attitudes regarding body image,” said Stephen Baumann, President & CEO of Starfinder Foundation.  “Our exciting new partnership with Green Tree Community Health Foundation will allow us to create innovative curricula designed to address the intrapersonal, social, and physical factors that are cited by girls as their reasons for eschewing physical activity.” 

The Soccer Girls Rule program at Jay Cooke Elementary School joins a roster of Starfinder’s initiatives that use soccer, educational, and personal development programs to inspire young people from underserved communities to achieve success both on and off the field.

About the Starfinder Foundation
The Starfinder Foundation, based in Philadelphia, has a mission to enhance the personal growth of underserved youth through soccer and learning experiences that engage, inspire, and motivate.  For more information, please visit www.starfinderfoundation.org.

About Green Tree Community Health Foundation
Green Tree Community Health Foundation is a community health advocate and not-for-profit public charity that identifies areas of vulnerability in the communities of Northwest Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County and provides funding to organizations whose work addresses these needs.  The Foundation seeks to have a positive impact on current and emerging health issues and risks, empower residents to access health services and value, embrace and maintain their health.  To learn more, visit www.greentreecommunityhealth.org.