About Us
Cite Soleil, Haiti is often recognized for its extreme poverty and gang violence. We and many promising leaders within Cite Soleil believe this can change in time with sustainable, long-term programs for kids and commitment from the community of Cite Soleil. Sprint to Cite Soleil is a critical program towards driving this change. Sprint works with this community to empower, inspire and promote solidarity through 4 specific aspects: basketball, nutrition, community and connection. Sprint's basketball program is the foundation of our program. Every Saturday and Sunday, 160 boys and girls (grades 1-12) from all across the community come to together to train in basketball. This program not only gives kids and young adults a supportive and close knit community, but steers Cite Soleil's next generation off the streets and away from gang affiliation. These kids are all trained weekly by our 10 employed coaches, who also serve as role models. In addition to basketball, Sprint has hired 4 cooks to prepare a nutritious meal for every kid following each Saturday practice. This homemade rice, bean and meat/fish meal is too often the only meal of the day and only reliable source of food for these kids. Outside of our weekly basketball and meal program, Sprint works alongside the community to further support and inspire. In the past, Sprint has led community clean-ups, built Cite Soleil's only standing community basketball court, and so much more. Lastly, Sprint is connected with many national and international organizations and change makers to expand our work and impact upon this community and further. Sprint has supported the build of Cite Soleil's first library, is connected to two Haitian hospitals, a special needs home, orphanages, and other community program
Our Story
Sprint to Cité Soleil was founded in 2016 by Sam Shapiro, inspired by his adopted brother, Marc-Arthur, who grew up in the heart of Cité Soleil, Haiti, until the age of 13. When Sam first visited Marc-Arthur’s old neighborhood, he saw children wandering the streets without opportunities and stumbled upon a rundown basketball court. He imagined that space transformed, not just into a court, but into a safe haven where kids could play, dream, and discover a brighter path forward. That vision became the foundation of Sprint to Cité Soleil.
From the beginning, Sprint to Cité Soleil has been a Shapiro family vision. Sam, his brothers Jake and Drew, and his parents, David and Stephanie, have each played a critical role in shaping and sustaining the program. Marc-Arthur himself has been central to that vision, providing personal insight into life in Haiti and sharing what it was like to grow up in Cité Soleil. His perspective helped guide the program to meet real needs by creating opportunities he knew firsthand were missing and by showing the family how much of a difference a safe space for kids could make.
The journey has not been easy. From the challenges of COVID-19 to the escalating instability caused by gangs and the collapse of Haiti’s infrastructure, there were moments when continuing seemed impossible. Yet through resilience, faith, and commitment, the Shapiro family and their Haitian partners have kept the program alive. They remain steadfast in providing children with the chance to play, learn, and grow while offering resources, mentorship, and hope for a better future.
Now approaching its 10th year, Sprint to Cité Soleil stands as a testament to what can be achieved through love, perseverance, and community. We are proud to sustain this legacy for Marc-Arthur and to inspire the next generation through community empowerment, inspiration, and peacemaking.
