PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: JUST ONE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM

Founded in 1996, Just One Neighborhood Program, Inc. (JONP) also known as "Just One Soccer," is a recreational sport league providing a low cost option where community, friendship, togetherness, teamwork, and respect become powerful tools toward avoiding the challenges facing our community. The program supports our children by providing a safe environment that instills a sense of self, of belonging, where quality relationships instill pride and increase their capacity to succeed. The program was created by founding Executive Director, Oscar Rodriguez. Oscar serves local youth in the Newark, NJ and neighboring communities by establishing a safe and secure environment in which leadership, cooperation, physical health and social support are all nurtured through sports-based youth development. A typical season extends from April thru mid July and welcomes almost 700 children from the greater Newark area in 56 teams including ages 4 thru 16. Volunteer coaches provide two practices a week with games every Thursday evening and all day on Saturday. All coaches maintain a "NJ Grassroots" license through the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. JONP has a close connection with the NJ Red Bull Soccer and the Sevilla F.C. Academy. The Red Bulls have provided hands on instruction, clinics,workshops and summer camps for hundreds of local youth, while the Sevilla F.C. Academy has increased and strengthened JONP's brand recognition. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, JONP's regular programming has been suspended or postponed. However, the Sevilla F.C.Academy's more advanced players have been practicing, scrimmaging and training for their first game this Sunday, at the Waterfront facility in Newark, NJ. For more information, CLICK HERE.