Soccer Dreams Without Borders was introduced to Catholic Charities and Archdiocesan Housing, a division of Catholic Charities via the Colorado After School Network and Denver Public School After School Meetings.

Catholic Charities is actively involved with several DPS schools and residential housing units where the population is largely Latinos and refugees from Africa and Burma.

Vince Ventimiglia, president and founder of the nonprofit organization Soccer Dreams Without Borders, has been actively involved in playing, coaching, administration and refereeing soccer for over 50 years.

During that time he also traveled throughout the world as a mining engineer and recognized that regardless of the country visited, soccer was the universal sport.

Unfortunately, in Colorado, many of the culturally diversified young players who were passionate about playing soccer did not have a coach, fields, transportation or equipment to play and had to make do with playing in the streets and alleys.

Vince immediately began to collect slightly used soccer gear, identify inner city schools and network with learning circles, after school programs and organizations such as Catholic Charities.

On Feb. 25 long ime Evergreen residents Vince Ventimiglia and Suzanne Chandler of A Point Of View Productions met with Meredith Hayes, Juli Cullen and Joel Pace of Catholic Charities to discuss how a partnership program between the two non-profits might meet the needs of inner-city children in after-school programs.

The meeting was very positive and it readily became apparent that soccer was the most popular of the after-school enrichment programs.

Part of the discussion also revolved around SDWB's mission to build additional educational components into a soccer program that would include teaching kids photography and video production, and promoting SDWB through an ongoing documentary already in production.

SDWB consists of three components. The first component emphasizes not only soccer but also playing fair, teamwork and the benefits of physical activity. The second component is the importance of education and good behavior not only on the field but in the classroom.

The third is a healthy lifestyle including no drugs, responsible behavior and accepting responsibility for your actions. Vince feels strongly that these three components are important to the healthy long term development of children.

"What is the value of playing soccer", Vince maintains, "if you do not have an education and you treat others poorly?"

Vince says that the response has been overwhelming. Adult volunteers as well as student volunteers have come forward to assist SDWB.

The waiting list of schools and organizations continues to grow and more volunteers are needed. To arrange drop off of slightly used soccer gear or to volunteer please e- mail SDWB at soccerdreamswithoutborders@msn.com.

For those wishing to make a donation, the tax-exempt number for SDWB is 26-0440467, PO Box 2523, Evergreen, CO. Please check out their Web site at www.soccerdreamswithoutborders.org.