The Victory Project recently made a $15,000 donation to Global FC as part of The Victory Project’s commitment to making the sport of soccer more accessible to children with limited financial resources.
This month’s donation is the first to be announced in a series of major contributions The Victory Project is making across the Kansas City region. An initiative of Sporting KC, The Victory Project unites players, staff, fans and community partners to help children through all of life’s challenges with a particular focus on the following three pillars:
- Enhancing and enriching the lives of children with cancer
- Making the sport of soccer more accessible to children with limited financial resources
- Providing special experiences and unique opportunities to children with disabilities
Sporting Kansas City Manager of Community Programs Chioma Atanmo presented Global FC staff and youth with a $15,000 check on behalf of The Victory Project (pictured above) on December 14.
"Sporting KC's donation to Global FC helps support our 2022 Spring soccer programming season which is expected to be our biggest programming season to date,” said Global FC Executive Director Mariya Goodbrake. “Global FC's work among refugee and other underserved youth is critical in supporting one of the most vulnerable populations in the KC community. Our holistic and integrated approach harnesses the power of relationships for sustainable development and long term impact. Refining our understanding of the various social, economic, religious and cultural variables at play have allowed us to navigate through the diverse cultures. In doing so, we are able to build players into ambassadors who will positively impact our city as thriving citizens.”
Goodbrake was selected to represent Sporting Kansas City as an MLS WORKS Community MVP in 2017. Sporting has also supported Global FC in recent years with ticket donations for players, coaches and volunteers to attend matches at Children’s Mercy Park, as well as access to the team’s training facility at Compass Minerals National Performance Center.
Global FC exists to bring diverse cultures together and has recently enrolled children of families arriving in Kansas City from Afghanistan. The organization utilizes soccer as a vehicle for transformative impact in addition to providing underserved youth with resources, opportunities and relationships to overcome obstacles through extensive mentorship and education programs.
“More than providing services, Global FC creates connectedness by facilitating the modern American Melting Pot,” said Goodbrake. “Global FC players are drawn into their new community through an appreciation for the unique contributions their native cultures make to their new home. With a spirit of acceptance, Global FC youth, families and volunteers meld, providing youth the encouragement to succeed as Americans in their new land of opportunity. Our community approach enables new American youth to experience a transition into normalcy much quicker, providing a physical and social outlet as well as respite from an otherwise precarious environment, thus regaining a sense of security. In the end, not only does our economy benefit when a generation of youth are provided a pathway to success, but it also positively benefits the social fabric of America and our great city."
To learn more about Global FC, including opportunities to volunteer and sponsor a team, visit GlobalFutbol.org or follow Global FC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
