This Saturday, come surefooted for female empowerment at the kickball tournament to benefit United Initiatives for Peace (UIP) at North Park's Community Park.

The UIP is 501c3 non-profit global organization that has enriched the lives of girls in over 35 countries worldwide. Donations to Saturday's San Diego kickball event will help local activists support young girls in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since the catastrophic earthquake in January 2010, Haitian women and girls have become especially vulnerable to rape, abuse, and oppression. Local support funnels to the United Initiatives for Peace summer camp known as, Bel Kan ("beautiful camp").

The 8-day overnight camp offers girls a variety of enrichment activities and services including: medical check-ups, sports, art, dance, yoga, photography, creative writing, field trips, and other creative outlets to help build self-esteem and encourage positive growth. Bel Kan is scheduled annually during the school summer vacation in the Greater Port-au- Prince area. The inaugural Bel Kan facilitated last year served the needs of 100 girls.

ABOUT THE KICKBALL FUNDRAISER:
What: Kickball Tournament
When: Saturday, July 9 | Noon - 3PM
Where: North Park (University Ave. at Idaho)
Why: To support female empowerment programs world wide
Teams: 6 -12 persons per team
Registration: $100 team donation to UIP or $10 individual donation
Solo Kickers: Individtuals interested in playing are welcome and will be assigned to teams on-site.

Make one-time team donations HERE through the United Initiatives official Web site.
The victorious kickball team wins a free Pizza at Caffe Calabria [3933 30th Street] immediately following the tournament. All participants are invited to attend a post-tournament reception at the cafe as Caffe Calabria will donate 25% of sales between 4-6PM to the United Initiates Program.

Watch last year's Bel Kan project: