Interested in participating in the program? Please complete the application below.
The Chicago Fire Foundation’s P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, presented by Meridian, is designed to enhance both academic performance and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in elementary students through a structured, soccer-based curriculum.
Beyond teaching soccer fundamentals, the program emphasizes core SEL traits such as emotional control, goal setting, cooperation, respect, communication, and teamwork. These skills are directly tied to academic success and, when taught through sport, help students transfer what they learn on the field to their behavior and performance in the classroom.
Since its launch in 2013, P.L.A.Y.S. has delivered over 436,320 hours of programming to third through fifth graders across Chicago. In 2026, the program will serve 70 CPS schools and reach nearly 1,680 students. For more information, contact Program Manager Tim Mack at tmack@chicagofirefc.com.
Things to know before you apply:
- Must be located in Chicago, IL
- The program is for youth in grades 3rd-5th grade only
- Programming takes place in the spring (March-June)
- Once you apply, we will reach out to you with next steps
