(
)
Lawrence Cann played soccer in college and then pursued a new goal: helping the homeless score a chance at jobs and homes through sports.
Cann, 33, now working toward an MBA at Columbia University, launched Street Soccer USA in 2007 as a volunteer at a North Carolina soup kitchen.
He believes that having homeless teens and young adults play and compete on soccer teams helps them “learn life and job skills.’’
Being a team player ‘’gives them what they don’t have — a place where they belong and get positive reinforcement . . . What they can see on the athletic field is results,’’ said Cann of the teams that are now in 20 cities, including New York. The squads compete locally and nationally.
His nonprofit partners with homeless-services providers to help players learn résumé writing and to set goals. The group offers mentors and access to potential employers.
In 2009, under the HELP USA umbrella, Cann launched Street Soccer USA teams in the Big Apple. There are currently three teams and about 200 players, most of them between 20 to 24 years old.
“We’ve seen 80 percent within a year are employed, housed or enrolled in further education,’’ said Cann, who was nominated for a New York Post Liberty Medal in the Leadership category by M&C Saatchi PR, which represents Street Soccer USA pro bono.