Where Goals Meet Growth: Kids Learn Life Lessons Through Corners Outreach Soccer Program
Soccer has been a part of Arturo Vasquez’s life for more than 30 years. For him, it’s become more than just a sport.
“It’s therapy. It’s passion. It’s a language spoken without words,” he said.
Today, Arturo is bringing his love of the game to underserved children in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties as the director of the Corners Outreach Soccer Program. He sees soccer as a way to keep kids active while building their character.
“It fosters teamwork, perseverance, problem-solving and emotional regulation,” Arturo said. “It also encourages responsibility, sportsmanship and respect, both on and off the field.”
Developing those life skills is the primary focus of the program.
“Everyone can play soccer. That's good,” Arturo said. “[But we teach] how they can have a better perspective of life through soccer.”
His passion for sharing what soccer teaches comes from his desire to give children opportunities he didn’t have growing up in Mexico.
“Because I grew up in an orphanage since I was five,” Arturo said, “I never met my parents; there are a lot of things I never had. So coming to the U.S. and working for Corners — this is great what they do for the kids, what they offer and the opportunities.”
The soccer program started two years ago, growing out of Corners Academy, the organization’s after-school tutoring program that helps equip students in the two counties through education development.
Not having its own pitch, Corners partnered with a local youth soccer non-profit for field space.
“Our students always wanted to go outside and play soccer,” said Cinthia Valdez, director of Corners Academy. “But every single time they had to play on asphalt, they had to play in a parking lot. They didn’t care. They were happy to do so.”
The Corners league started with about 70 children between 6-13 years old who were part of the Academy. It’s grown to more than 160 children, with spring and fall seasons and a summer camp program. It’s now open to the rest of the community.
“They don’t have to just be part of Corners Academy anymore. Everyone who wants to be a part of our soccer academy can be a part,” Arturo said. “The plan is to keep growing and growing and growing.”
This ability to grow is thanks in part to support from the Atlanta United Foundation. In late 2024, Corners got its own soccer pitch through the foundation’s GA100 initiative to build 100 soccer pitches in Georgia before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Arturo said this expansion will allow more people to hear about Corners – fostering community while keeping out-of-pocket costs minimal.
“It’s been amazing,” he said.
Volunteers from the community serve as the league’s coaches and referees. This past season, Corners’ soccer program was able to certify high school students from the Corners Academy High School program to be coaches and referees, too, allowing him to further reinforce the growth and development mission of Corners and share lessons soccer has taught him in life with even more young people.
“Soccer has taught me the importance of believing in yourself,” Arturo said. “There's always ups and downs in life. But what I've learned is if you’re persistent in your beliefs and consistent in what you’re applying yourself to do, you’ll work out in the end.”
People interested in sponsoring a child’s participation in the Corners Outreach Soccer Program can learn more here.
People interested in volunteering as coaches or mentors can contact Arturo at arturo.vasquez@cornersoutreach.org.