2-Time NBA MVP Steve Nash Receives Sport for Social Change Award at French Embassy in New York

Leading national sport for development organization, Street Soccer USA, presents award

NEW YORK, NY (June 24, 2011): Street Soccer USA-a national organization teaching job and life skills to homeless youth and adults through sport in 18 cities with 75% success rate in terms of educational and job placement outcomes-presented the prestigious Sport for Social Change Award to two-time NBA MVP and seven-time NBA All-Star, STEVE NASH on Friday, June 24^th at the French Cultural Embassy in Manhattan. Celebrities and philanthropists on hand included Kenneth Cole and English Premier League star Emmerson Boyce.

"Sports has power and sports also shows people that they have the power to make a difference. It's an honor to receive this award, especially since Street Soccer USA puts two of my passions-soccer and helping people-together ," remarked Steve Nash upon receiving the award.

"Steve both personally and through his foundation sets the gold standard in term of athletes using sport to drive outcomes for a better world, which is why we are so pleased to recognize him," said Lawrence Cann, founder of Street Soccer USA and creator of the Sport For Social Change Awards.

"Steve Nash is so deserving of this award - he truly shares in a genuine way that so few stars do his time, talent, and image. Many lives have been improved thanks to this great player (in two sports!) and great man," commented Venanzio Ciampa, whose company, the Promotion Factory, sponsors the Street Soccer USA men's national team and has worked with Steve for many years in New York.

The Sport for Social Change Awards are prestigious national awards, designed to promote and drive the adoption of sport more broadly and more purposefully as a force for social good, recognizing national figures, organizations, and grassroots change agents-which leverage the power of sport to achieve measurable social good. Past awardees include Hall of Fame corner back and NFL Sr. VP of player engagement, Troy Vincent, Washington Mystics president, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sheila Johnson, as well as businessman, sports-owner and coiner of the term "Filmanthropy," Ted Leonsis. The awards have also recognized grassroots change agents like Lisa Wrightsman who overcame homelessness through the sport-for-development program and now coaches other women in her situation.

In a precursor to Friday's awards ceremony, Nash and his NYC soccer team, the Promotion Factory, played an eight-v.-eight match against homeless and formerly homeless graduates of Street Soccer USA on Thursday evening. The fast-paced game, which was free and open to the public, took place in Sarah Roosevelt Park in New York City's Chinatown.

The French Embassy hosted the awards in honor of the 64 Nation Homeless World Cup taking place in Paris. French Cultural Ambassador Antonin Baudry presented Steve Nash a French National Soccer Jersey with "Nash" listed on the back. Currently Street Soccer USA is sending 8 men and 8 women who have overcome homelessness through the Street Soccer USA program in the last year to Paris for the games and are seeking sponsors for the last few members of the team. For more info about how to support email event@streetsoccerusa.org.

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Street Soccer USA (www.streetsoccerusa.org) and its umbrella organization HELP USA (www.helpusa.org) together with the French Cultural Embassy in New York will conduct an intimate ceremony awarding two-time NBA MVP and international humanitarian, Steve Nash, with its prestigious Sport for Social Change Award.

The Sport for Social Change Awards, founded in 2010, recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations that leverage the power of sport to achieve measurable social good. Past awardees include top athletes who have achieved far-reaching impact in their communities such as the NFL's Troy Vincent; sports-owners like Sheila Johnson, who has empowered women domestically and abroad through sports; and grassroots change agents like New Yorker Chris Lodgeson, who overcame homelessness, finished college, and now coaches and mentors who are currently homeless.

Street Soccer USA is a sport-based organization focused on eradicating homelessness and poverty via onsite soccer programs and community building at social service agencies and homeless shelters in 20 cities across the nation. 75% of participants, who range from youth to adult, successfully connect to further education, improved health, jobs, and housing within a year of joining the program.

Steve Nash is a two-time NBA MVP, seven-time NBA All Star, as well as a filmmaker, philanthropist, and outspoken advocate on social issues.

Venanzio Ciampa and his organization, the Promotion Factory, nominated Steve Nash for the award after working with Steve for several years and understanding his deep commitment to charity work.

Antonin Baudry, the Cultural Councilor for the Embassy of France, will introduce the ceremony on Friday. The French Cultural Embassy's role presenting the award is fitting because France will host the 64-nation Homeless World Cup in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris this August.