On
September 12th, the Homeless World Cup will kick off in Amsterdam. Bringing
together participants from 70 countries, the annual event puts a spotlight on
global issues of poverty and homelessness.
Street
Soccer Canada, a non-profit that runs a network of over 20 soccer programs at
shelters in a dozen cities across the country, has sent a team to the
tournament each year since 2004.
For the sheltered and homeless individuals
who play, it’s a chance to be part of a team. And sometimes that small step is
all it takes to get the ball rolling.
Help us field a team
Each year, Street Soccer Canada must raise
the funds needed to take our team to the Homeless World Cup. The $15,000 we
hope to raise through this campaign will cover the cost of flights and local travel for our team and support squad to take part in Amsterdam in 2015. Once there, the Homeless World Cup covers our accommodation. If we raise more than the $15,000, those funds will be used
to continue to run our year-round programming. As well as the soccer games,
affiliates of Street Soccer Canada across the country offer indoor recreation
activities, peer mentorship, and a social enterprise laundry service that gives
participants work experience while providing clean linen to shelters.
So pin up your Homeless World Cup poster ($150 contribution) with pride, knowing you’ve brought the positive
influences of physical exercise and community to those who need it most. Or,
check out the rest of the items you’ll receive in exchange for your
donation—they are tokens of our appreciation and ways to mark your honorary membership
to the support squad for Street Soccer Canada and Canada’s Homeless World Cup
team.
The impact off the field
Over the last decade,
Street Soccer Canada has given hundreds of marginalized individuals living in
shelters or on the street a chance to move past life’s most difficult
circumstances to make a play for new goals. Since a Homeless World Cup spot is
earned through commitment to the Street Soccer Canada community, the possibility of making the team represents
extra motivation to stay involved.
Follow-up
research conducted by the Homeless World Cup has found that 80% of those
who come to the tournament end up finding housing, landing jobs, and leading more healthy lifestyles.
One
of those is:
Ed Kiwanuka-Quinlan
After a personal
loss, Ed fell into a deep depression that was exacerbated by war traumas
suffered as a young teen in Uganda. Unemployed and suicidal, he eventually
landed at a shelter where he began playing with Street Soccer Canada. In 2012,
he was part of Canada’s Homeless World Cup team in Mexico. Revitalized by his
involvement, he now manages Street Soccer Canada’s social enterprise laundry
service, and is invaluable as a leader and peer mentor.
“Now I have a purpose,” says Ed. “When I wake up in
the morning, I am happy that I am going to contribute. Not just to my own life,
but to somebody else’s life.”
Ongoing contributions
* This campaign has expired (thanks to all who donated!), but you can still help Kickstart Change for those who are homeless at this link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/street-soccer-canada/
And while
we can use your financial support, you can also help Street Soccer Canada field
this year’s Homeless World Cup team by spreading the word. Visit our social
media to share the stories and pictures that help put a face to the usually
anonymous issue of homelessness.
The Perks!
Homeless World Cup All-Star playing cards
The full set. Each with portrait on front and story on back of how Street Soccer Canada kickstarted change in their lives.
Street Soccer Canada t-shirt
Wear your Street Soccer Canada t-shirt with pride, knowing you’ve brought the positive influences of physical exercise and community to those who need it most.
Homeless World Cup portraits / Homeless World Cup poster
We followed the 2014 team to Chile and captured portraits of our Canadian players and those from 40 of the countries that participated. Each 5 x 7 portraits are signed by photographer Jim Ryce.
Meanwhile, the 25" x 20" poster features all of the portraits together, along with Street Soccer Canada's logo.
Signed jerseys
We have one Women's Team Canada jersey signed by #5 Robyn Gayle. And also, one signed by the entire Women's England team!
Host a Street Soccer game or a tournament
Street soccer, played on a smaller pitch (15m x 10m), is fun to watch but even more fun to play. Street Soccer Canada will set up our pitch for you and referee!
Trip to the 2015 Homeless World Cup in AmsterdamYou'll get to see Street Soccer (see above photo), and also this:
To learn more about Street Soccer Canada, watch "Kickstart," a documentary that followed Street Soccer Canada's Homeless World Cup team to Santiago, Chile in 2014: