First of Five Safe Sport Spaces Opened in New Partnership

March 22, 2019

Last weekend, 400 hundred community leaders, government officials, artists, musicians and residents of all ages gathered in San Miguel Xico, Valle de Chalco, Mexico to celebrate the opening of a new multipurpose sports space for young people to play, grow and learn life skills through sport. 

The newly revitalized ‘Parque sur 23’ was transformed over three months by love.fútbol, an award winning international non-profit focused on community development through sports, in partnership with the Pincus Family Foundation, a Philadelphia-area based charitable institution that works to improve the quality of life for children living in underserved populations. 

Together with local partner Natlik A.C. and hundreds of adult and youth community volunteers, the site was completely transformed over three months with volunteers donating nearly 1200 hours of their time.

The dynamic new safe space will encourage active and healthy youth, provide educational programming and will ultimately become a lasting platform for social change.  Towards that goal, the very next day, programming partner the Sports Creative and Natlik began co-creating a sustainable program to deliver their joint initiative to leverage sport and artistic outlets to engage marginalized youth. 

The opening marks the first of five projects that will also see two spaces built in Philadelphia in 2019 and two in the Dominican Republic in 2020 supported by a $1,135,000 grant from the Pincus Family Foundation.  

The Philadelphia-based organization is a long-time supporter of simple methods to improve children's lives and to realize children’s potential. Stated Executive Director Danielle Scott, "The Pincus Family Foundation is dedicated to the well-being of children around the world.  It is our hope that Parque sur 23 will be a place that represents the pride of Xico as it provides a safe place for children and youth to play and grow for many years to come."

Xico is the oldest and most populated neighborhood in Valle de Chalco, where 28% of the residents are children or youth and 58.3% of the total population of the city live in poverty. Safe public spaces are severely lacking and unemployment, reduced educational opportunities and crime are daily obstacles. 

This project comes at a time when studies are reporting that fewer children are reaching healthy levels of physical activity, particularly in lower income communities where there are fewer parks and access to safe places for physical activity. More than a safe place to play, Parque sur 23 will be home to ongoing programs for young people to learn valuable life skills and build the confidence to take control of their lives.

love.fútbol Co-Founder and CEO Drew Chafetz stated, "We've always been inspired by the community, history and culture of Xico and are thrilled that it's the first project to kick off love.fútbol’s larger partnership with the Pincus Family Foundation – with whom we share deeply held values on youth and community-driven development. We’re grateful for the amazing team of partners that came together to make this project possible, impactful and meaningful, and look forward to returning for years to come.”

The organization’s approach engages and mobilizes entire communities to create, reclaim and redefine their own sports spaces as lasting tools for social development. 25 years after Parque sur 23 had fallen into severe disrepair, the site was brought to life through the efforts of the implementing partners and volunteer community members who contributed their ideas, labor and local resources throughout the process. 

“This is for everyone, our children, our grandchildren. We know that it will last, it's for life,” said Brenda Meza, a Community Captain and Valle de Chalco native who hopes to see her 11-year-old son playing on the court again.

Our sister agency, thinkBeyond, which has worked with love.fútbol for several years is supporting on the implementation of the projects.  

In 2017, love.fútbol were shortlisted for the Sustainable Cities and Communities Award at the Beyond Sport Global Awards. 

Photo Credit: Blanca Reyes