We’re proud to share that former Seattle United standout, Handwalla Bwana has selected our program partner Soccer Without Borders as his charity of choice for this Wednesday’s (May 8th) Give BIG Day. Give BIG is an online giving campaign to raise funds for Washington non-profits. As part of the campaign, Seattle Sounders players were able to choose a local nonprofit to support and Handwalla chose Soccer Without Borders!
Since 2018, Seattle United has been a supporter of Soccer Without Borders, most significantly and together with Seattle Youth Soccer Association, supporting SWB high school teams to play fall and spring recreational soccer. Like Handwalla, who is originally from Kenya and immigrated to the U.S. in 2010, all Soccer Without Borders participants are newcomers to the U.S. and Seattle. Since the Seattle chapter launched in 2018, 272 immigrant, refugee and asylee youth from 31 different countries have participated in SWB’s year-round programming and summer camps.
We all know that soccer holds a unique power to foster community. At SWB, coaches and staff specialize in using the power of the team space to help newcomer youth navigate their new surroundings, enjoy a safe space to play a familiar game, grow friendships and practice English. As a result, SWB participants report that the program helps them to make new friends, feel comfortable practicing English, feel comfortable being themselves and to be healthier. Our partnership, creates avenues for SWB high school teams to enjoy weekly game play, a major incentive that helps to build bridges between the soccer field, classroom, and community.
We hope you join us and Soccer Without Borders in playing for change on May 8th. When you Give BIG to SWB on May 8th you’re supporting newcomer youth in Seattle to experience the joy of sport and powerful benefits of team membership. What’s more? Anyone who gives to SWB will be entered into a raffle for Sounders tickets and anyone who gives +$120 will be entered into a raffle to win a ball signed by Handwalla.
For more information about Soccer Without Borders or to learn other ways to get involved please contact Director, Lindsey Whitford ([email protected]).
