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ONE JOURNEY ANNOUNCES ‘WELCOME TO AMERICA’ SOCCER FEST,
Saturday October 30, 11am-3pm at Washington International School
Building Connections and Raising Awareness for Refugees
Youth and adults from area refugee communities will take part in a day of soccer, friendship, and fun at the One Journey Welcome To America Soccer Fest on October 30. The event is organized by One Journey and its partners, Washington International School, LACES, and District Sports.
The Welcome To America Soccer Fest includes an adult 7×7 soccer tournament, youth skills and drills, kids Halloween Costume Give-away, and numerous opportunities for refugees and participants from the community to build friendships, respect, and mutual understanding. The event is free, except for adult teams, which must register in advance via District Sports.
“We are using this afternoon of soccer games, clinics, and fun to say ‘welcome’ to families who had to flee the only country they’ve known and now face the challenges of starting over in an unfamiliar land,” says Matt Tully, the event organizer for One Journey. “We hope to make their journey a little easier and provide a time for making friends, building connections, and getting to know their new home.”
WHO: Refugee community, including recent Afghan arrivals, and soccer enthusiasts from the community; adults and youth.
WHAT: Adult soccer tournament, youth soccer clinic, youth recreational activities, Halloween costume giveaway.
WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 11am-3pm
WHERE: Playing field at Washington international School, 3100 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
VISUALS: Soccer field, adult soccer games, youth soccer clinic and activities, Halloween costume giveaway, participants who are recently arrived refugees or former refugees, brief remarks by One Journey, information and sign-in tables
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welcome-to-america-soccer-event-tickets-182898583587 Adult teams must register in advance via District Sports here: https://districtsportsusa.leagueapps.com/tournaments/2334183-onejourney-soccer-fest—charity-7v7-soccer-tournament
PRESS: Press is welcome to attend and cover this event. Please register at the check-in table upon arrival to receive a credential.
This is One Journey’s third Soccer Fest, and we are so grateful to Washington International School for providing its playing field and enthusiastic support,” notes One Journey co-founder, Vanda Berninger. “Soccer is one of the ‘common languages of humanity’ that One Journey uses to connect newcomers and their communities.
The event will also help introduce newcomers to a unique American holiday, Halloween. One Journey has launched a drive for children’s Halloween costumes, which will be distributed at the event to refugee families and kids (age 12 and under) who choose to take part in this this fun celebration. “For newly arrived families, costumes may not be affordable,” says Wendy Chan, One Journey’s other co-founder. “The costume give-away lets the kids enjoy their first experience of trick-or-treating.”
One Journey is a grassroots alliance working to shift the conversation about refugees worldwide by amplifying refugee voices and celebrating the talents and stories of newcomers. We strive to build enduring allies for refugees and use cultural and technological tools to facilitate connections between refugees and their host communities.
