Empower Brooklyn's Young Refugees Through Soccer

Allison Urquidi is organizing this fundraiser.

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My husband and I are launching this fundraiser in hopes of raising money to support a group of young refugees in Brooklyn, NY. Both of us have extensive experience playing in, coaching, and organizing ⚽️ clubs. When an opportunity arose for us to support the growing refugee community in New York City, doing so on the pitch seemed a natural fit. We are currently attempting to raise money to support the formation of an organized ⚽️ club for local refugees to participate in. Funds will help support uniforms, pitch fees, travel expenses, and equipment for our players.

Our journey into the project began when we were introduced to one young man living in one of the city's refugee shelters. Like many in his position, he has had a difficult transition as a refugee and was more than happy to take up an invitation to join one of our weekly pick-up games. It quickly became clear that there were many young refugees in similar circumstances: traumatic pasts, few resources in a new city, and a desire for community. One player turned into two and that eventually grew into enough players to feed a program of their own. Currently, we have around thirty boys and young men ages 14-25, mostly from African nations, who all have in common their refugee status and love for ⚽️. With a vision of providing them with a safe haven and a sense of belonging, we embarked on a mission to form a ⚽️ club catering to their specific needs.

Every week, these young men gather on the pitch, eager to train and hone their skills. The training sessions are intense and demanding, but they never shy away from hard work. We have seen them grow, bond, and learn through their dedication.

Beyond their personal circumstances, what sets this group apart is the incredible talent that some of the players possess. While our primary focus is creating a supportive environment where they can simply be young men, our aspirations extend beyond providing a safe space for them to play ⚽️. We dream of providing the training and resources necessary to access the same opportunities that their well-funded peers have. Some of our players are immensely talented and we want to help them to have the chance to play in the UPSL, a semi-professional league. For the younger players, our goal is to develop their skills to the point where they can earn college scholarships.

The gratitude and kindness displayed by these young men are truly heartwarming. Despite the challenges they have faced, they remain optimistic and appreciative of every opportunity that comes their way. During the month of Ramadan, they train while fasting, and we take breaks during training sessions to break the fast together. It is in these shared moments that a sense of community and unity transcends the boundaries of ⚽️.

Our mission goes beyond the ⚽️ pitch. We believe that every child and young person deserves access to training and competition. This ⚽️ club provides them with a sense of value and belonging that they may not have experienced before. Through ⚽️, they learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Your support will make a tangible difference in the lives of these young refugees. It will enable us to provide them with access to quality training facilities and essential resources.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, will make a significant impact. By joining us in this endeavor, you will be creating a brighter future for these young refugees, who deserve the opportunity to be a part of something positive.

***U P D A T E***

We are excited to announce that we managed to secure the following resources for the team:

-18 complete home uniforms with our team logo (this includes socks and shorts)

-18 complete away uniforms with our team logo (this includes sock stand shorts)

- 6 complete sets of goalie uniforms (3 home and 3 away)

- 4 goalie gloves

- 24 shin guards

- 24 practice tops

- 24 practice shorts

- 24 practice socks

- a dozen numbered pinnies

- 18 warmup shirts for games