A DeKalb-based organization is helping teach underprivileged children life skills through a worldwide love — soccer.

Soccer in the Streets has been helping boys and girls of all ages nationwide for the past 20 years, teaching the importance of education, positive values and personal responsibility.

“It’s our way of helping these kids still be kids,” said Jill Robbins, executive director of Soccer in the Streets’ Atlanta office.

“Many of these kids come from low income, single-parent homes and they are forced to deal with adult situations every day, so this is a way for them to relax and enjoy themselves.”

Robbins said that since the nonprofit organization started in 1989 it has helped over 100,000 kids in more than 75 United States cities.

The Atlanta office, located in northwest DeKalb, serves an average of about 3,000 children each year by organizing games. Players must learn to take responsibility and govern game play themselves because no referees are provided.

“We deal with a lot of kids on a regular basis, which is great,” Robbins said.

“There is a universal appeal for soccer, so for us to use this approach is really a no-brainer.”

One of the organizations that has benefited from Soccer in the Streets is the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club in Decatur.

On Feb. 16, the two organizations got together for the inaugural “President’s Day Street-Cup Soccer Game.”

Isaac Whitfield, the program director for the Boys & Girls Club, said the experience was something he is sure club members will never forget.

“It gave the kids an opportunity to play soccer in a meaningful way,” Whitfield said.

“There was no pressure on the kids to do anything spectacular — all they had to do was have fun,” he added.