The Victory Project recently made a $7,500 donation to support the Soccer for Success program offered to local youth through the Mattie Rhodes Center.
The donation is the second 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
The donation to Mattie Rhodes Center was made possible in part by the “Every Save Makes A Difference” campaign in which TUDN and Allstate have partnered with MLS WORKS. Every save made during an MLS match airing on TUDN, UniMas or Univision throughout the 2021 season earned $500 for clubs to support local organizations which provide soccer opportunities for the Hispanic community.
Since 2015, over $500,000 has been raised through the platform and donated to organizations in MLS markets across North America.
On December 14, The Victory Project Executive Director Jackie Feeney, Sporting KC Manager of Community Programs Chioma Atanmo and Sporting KC Assistant Director of Coaching Diego Barrios presented Mattie Rhodes Center staff and youth with a $7,500 check (pictured above).
“The funds will be used to support our Soccer for Success program which strives to help youth learn the value of making healthy lifestyle choices that enhance their emotional, social, and physical well-being,” said Angela Cecena Brunner, Director of Development and Communications for the Mattie Rhodes Center. “Our team members teach strong values by example and the agency’s history of focusing on academic excellence, strong character, and leadership qualities is a winning formula for all youth to reach their full potential in life.”
Soccer For Success is the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s free after-school program that uses soccer as a tool to address children’s health issues and juvenile delinquency while promoting healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. The program is available to boys and girls ages 5-14 at school sites and Mattie Rhodes Center locations.
In July, Mattie Rhodes Center opened a new outdoor mini-pitch at Budd Park in partnership with U.S. Soccer Foundation, KC Parks and Recreation, and DICK’S Sporting Goods. The new Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center will open this spring at 17th and Jarboe in Kansas City’s historic Westside neighborhood. To learn more, visit MattieRhodes.org or follow the organization on Twitter and Facebook.
