The 107ist Board has agreed to join adidas and the Portland Timbers in supporting an ambitious and exciting project that will use soccer as part of an after-school program focused on elementary students in the Portland area.
The project – Portland Advantage Centers – will meld soccer with after-school programs intended to boost student achievement and literacy. The Centers are envisioned as community gathering places hosting both recreational and organized soccer. Volunteers will work with kids on both schoolwork and soccer.
This project will kick off during the summer with a field-development project, hopefullly at James John Elementary School in North Portland. Plans call for having six Advantage Centers running by this fall, at schools in both Portland and Beaverton.
Timbers Army and 107ist members will be invited to take part in publicity and fund-raising campaigns that will begin in June. In addition, there will be hands-on work parties, the first of which will transform the concrete playground at James John Elementary and install a new artificial turf soccer field.
The board discussed the proposal at three meetings, and formed a subcommittee to work further with project organizers. We felt that the Advantage Centers project aligned well with our mission: “To promote soccer in Portland from the grass roots to the highest professional level.”
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Man, I’m so proud to be 107ist. This is great news. Thanks for organizing it!
As a parent of a James John student and a resident of St. John’s, I am so very grateful for this news – kudos to Adidas & the Portland Timbers for choosing James John Elementary! The school is integral to the neighborhood, not only due to it’s prominent location in Downtown St. John’s, but also through the renewed support from parents in the PTA. Yee Haw! I can’t wait to break up some asphalt!
On behalf of James John Elementary & the SUN After-School Program at James John, we want to THANK adidas, The Portland Timbers, Timbers Army & 107ist members for making this come true. The entire community and staff are so grateful and we look forward to helping build a rewarding and enriching experience for our students at James John Elementary & the St. John’s community. Thank YOU!
George Caceres
SUN School After-School Coordinator
James John Elementary
What a great group of partners getting together for a great cause! I’m very excited to see this add to the efforts of George and the rest of the Sun School staff. Thank you, everyone!
James John & St. John’s … Let’s kick some ASPHALT!!!
Great news! As a TA member, youth coach in St. Johns, and NoPo parent, I’m very excited about an Advantage Center at James John. Further, this will help all kinds of kids enjoy the beautiful game.
I heard on the radio show that the ground-breaking is July 8th — see you there.
I teach at a school in Hillsboro and have started an after school soccer club for the kids. Their passison and love for the game is amzing! If the program is planning to extend out as far as Hillsboro and work with the Hispanic community, I would love to help. Its really sad, but soccer is all many of these kids have. Feel free to contact me at Nzerizef @ gmail.com