Natnael Mesfin

Open Field

Open Field's mission is to improve the lives and futures of youth through sport. We promote education, health, girls' empowerment, leadership, and life skills through the global game of soccer. Our programming creates a safe space in low-resource neighborhoods where youth from diverse backgrounds come together to play and learn as equals. Open Field staff and volunteer coach-mentors invest in relationships with participants that promote positive youth development. Our Sport-Based Youth Development (SBYD) programming incorporates social and emotional skills learning for children ages 6-18 through activities, discussions, and character development on and off the soccer field. Since 2010, Open Field's global team has engaged more than 6,000 youth in educational soccer programming, mentoring relationships, travel abroad experiences, and cultural exchange in Pittsburgh, PA and in three countries in West Africa.