The past few years have been hard for immigrants in the United States, especially for young new arrivals like the kids who attend the Mi Espacio after-school program every day at CASA de Maryland. Despite challenging times, these high school students remain strong, funny, and committed to their new life in the United States. I know this because I work with them every week at Mi Espacio and it is a pleasure and honor to be part of their community.       

Many colleagues and friends have asked me how to help the Latino immigrant community during these trying times. I hope you will consider this campaign. I am raising funds for 24 Mi Espacio students to join a winter and spring soccer league under the Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy (ESYDA), an immigrant-led soccer academy. Many of our students used to play soccer back home, but have been unable to join a league due to cost. Through the free medical clinic La Clínica del Pueblo, some of our students have participated in occasional soccer matches, like the one pictured above. But their dream of joining a league remains.

This fundraising initiative comes directly from the students of Mi Espacio, who have asked the program’s coordinators and volunteers to help them join a soccer league. The cost per student (which includes elite and recreation registration, training practices, materials, and critically for our students, transportation) is significant , so I am fundraising for a goal of $6,000. While vital to the American social fabric, extracurricular activities cost money and are often out of reach to lower income and working class families. I hope you will consider giving the gift of soccer to these deserving kids. Thank you,

Isabella Alcañiz