Stetser Elementary Celebrates Ten Years of Soccer for Success

In the fall of 2012, thanks to the vision and the stewardship of then Head Men’s Soccer Coach and current CUYS Board Member Brent Jacquette, Widener University received grant funding from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Social Innovation Fund to launch the Soccer for Success program in the Chester and Upland communities. Since inception, the program has engaged over 30% of Chester’s 5- to 18-year-old population.

Stetser Elementary was one of the program’s first locations, and is still going strong. To celebrate the anniversary season, participating students received reusable water bottles in their school colors: green and yellow.

Ms. Jody Zamonski, Stetser Site Director, has also helped coordinate the distribution of feminine products, sports bras and other athletic apparel, healthy groceries, books and soccer snacks.

Coach-Mentors at Stetser include members of the Chester community, students at Widener University and volunteers from Strath Haven High School.

Stetser soccer stars are fortunate to have a large grassy space and full size soccer goals, plus a mini-pitch for small-sided play. The mini-pitch was installed in 2015 and features the logo of the beloved Philadelphia Union, who graciously gives free tickets and parking passes to CUYS families on a regular basis.

The soccer program runs three days per week at Stetser in the fall and spring. During the winter, CUYS partners Design FC and Lifewerks engage the children with other meaningful extracurricular activities.