CANVAS HOME NEWS: YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAM THROUGH SOCCER
At Canvas Home, we believe that strong communities are built by organizations that invest in young people. That's why we were proud to donate Canvas Home product to a recent fundraiser benefiting America SCORES Bay Area, a nonprofit organization that has been transforming lives through soccer, poetry, and service-learning for more than three decades.
America Scores Bay Area History & Today
The story of SCORES is closely tied to one of the most important moments in American soccer history: the 1994 FIFA World Cup. That tournament helped spark a new era of soccer growth in the United States and created legacy funding that supported youth soccer initiatives across the country. SCORES itself was born in 1994 when Teach For America fellow Julie Kennedy started a girls' soccer and poetry program at Marie Reed Elementary School in Washington, D.C. What began as a small effort to provide opportunities for underserved students has since grown into a network serving approximately 15,000 young people annually across 13 cities in North America.
Through free after-school and summer programs, students develop teamwork and leadership skills on the soccer field, strengthen literacy and self-expression through poetry, and learn the value of community engagement through service projects. The organization's mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy lives, become engaged students, and develop the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.
Today, SCORES operates in several communities across the United States, including many cities that are hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The organization currently serves more than 300 schools, works with hundreds of coaches and volunteers, and continues to provide programs free of charge to participating students.
The impact goes far beyond sports. Research and program outcomes have shown that SCORES helps young people build confidence, communication skills, leadership abilities, and a stronger connection to their schools and communities. By combining athletics with literacy and service, the organization helps students succeed both on and off the field.
As excitement builds around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it's inspiring to see an organization whose roots trace directly back to the 1994 World Cup continuing to create opportunities for the next generation. SCORES demonstrates that soccer can be more than a game—it can be a platform for education, creativity, leadership, and community impact.
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We were honored to contribute and support this fundraiser and help further the important work SCORES is doing every day. Every donation, sponsorship, and fundraising effort helps ensure that more young people have access to programs that empower them to find their voice, develop their talents, and become leaders in their communities.
Learn more about the SCORES Network at America SCORES Bay Area.