"Thank you! We had an absolutely incredible time. The [refugee] kids loved every minute of it. I had to calm some boys who wanted to jump the fence at the end of the game, saying, 'We don't want to wait until tomorrow -- we want to play NOW!'"
 -- Lauren Markham, Soccer Without Borders

THE SSV KIDZONE | SSV Kidzone Photo Gallery

SSVCF brings a different group of 50 under-privileged kids (and their adult chaperones) from a different youth-oriented non-profit in a different Bay Area community to see Earthquakes soccer – an experience they will remember forever – in the "SSV Kidzone," courtesy of Earthquakes fans.

Thanks to SSV's past work, we are familiar with the grateful responses of children who receive an unexpected opportunity to see a soccer game in person. In June 2007, SSV joined with Earthquakes Soccer and the elected officials of the City of San Jose to distribute 1,000 tickets to an exhibition between CD Guadalajara ("Chivas") and Busan I'Park South Korea. These tickets went out to over 20 local, youth-oriented non-profits, giving a host of children a chance that they would not be able to enjoy due to other economic needs.

"The kids had a terrific time and that everything went well. They were surprised and excited about how close they were to the field."

Photo: The Ruffneck Road Trip

The SSV Kidzone welcomes organizations in San Jose and beyond, from the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) in San Jose to the non-profit Soccer Without Borders, which holds a summer soccer camp for refugee kids (mostly from African countries) in Oakland. Multiply that experience by 17 games and 17 different groups of kids from 17 different communities across the Bay Area, over the course of the 2008 season. We expect that many of these kids will grow up and bring their own kids to Earthquakes games in the future. Regardless, they will experience a joyful outing embracing the Beautiful Game.

The Earthquakes have agreed to set aside a 50-seat section above a large banner emblazoned "SSV Kidzone." The club has generously offered SSVCF seats in the SSV Kidzone for $10 per seat per game or $170 per season ticket – a substantial discount over the lowest price ticket for the public ($18 per game or $306 per season ticket). To continue this program next season, we need your help!

 2008 Season

04/12 - Saturday - Chicago Fire (OAK)	Unity Council of Oakland Neighborhood Sports Initiative Program website | press release
05/03 - Saturday - FC Dallas	Mexican American Community Services Agency website
05/10 - Saturday - Columbus Crew	Migrant Program at Pomeroy Elementary School in Santa Clara
05/22 - Thursday - Houston Dynamo	Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen website
06/14 - Saturday - LA Galaxy (OAK)	Vallejo's Fighting Back Partnership website | press release
07/12 - Saturday - Colorado Rapids	Washington United Youth Center (Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County) website
07/27 - Sunday - New York Red Bulls	El Toro Youth Center website
08/03 - Sunday - LA Galaxy (OAK)	Soccer Without Borders website | press release
08/16 - Saturday - NE Revolution	Eastfield Ming Quong website | press release
08/30 - Saturday - Kansas City Wizards	Friends of Children with Special Needs website | press release
09/02 - Tuesday - Seattle Sounders	South Bay VIP Program (AYSO) website
09/06 - Saturday - DC United	DEW Center - YMCA Youth Service Bureau website
09/13 - Saturday - Houston Dynamo	Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) - Heartwood Academy website
09/27 - Saturday - Real Salt Lake	[recipient]
10/11 - Saturday - Chivas USA	Evergreen School District Migrant Education Program
10/25 - Saturday - Toronto FC	[recipient]