The Reinvention of Me: What Comes Next

On June 1, I attended the dinner for the Sports for Social Change Awards for Street Soccer USA (read more about the organization here), at the Embassy of France and I couldn’t have been more wowed by what this organization does and who it affects.

Some people turn to homelessness because of drugs, or alcohol, abuse or even losing a job.  On June 1, we met two such individuals who have given themselves a second chance at life, with the aid of the Street Soccer USA program.

After the dinner portion, and the welcoming by Julie Donaldson of Comcast News, Lawrence Cann, Founder of Street Soccer USA, got up to speak about his foundation and what it has done for so many individuals.  He showed a short video of the players of Street Soccer and gave us a glimpse into the lives of those this program touched.

The first award of the night was for Leadership in Sports, which was presented by Douglas Palmer, Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, where the award recipient, Troy Vincent, is from.  Troy gave a wonderful speech on the impact of SSUSA and his involvement in the organization – fitting, as he is the VP of NFL Player Engagement Organization.

Troy Vincent

The second award was presented by Chris Lodgeson – a man who has gone through the SSUSA program and has succeeded.  He was homeless until he found SSUSA and through this program, that taught him leadership, responsibility and a myriad of other skills – he now works at Bloomingdales and contributes much of his time to giving back to the organization that helped him.  The twist to giving this award: He, himself, was given one, in the form of a grant, by Microsoft, to be trained technically and hired.  This grant was given by Mario Rebello, Community Director for Microsoft.

Chris and Mario

The award that Chris was giving was for Will Garofalo, a Senior at St. Alban’s, for Youth in Service.  Will spent his summer last year feeding more than 200 homeless soccer players for the summer world cup, as well as helping to set up the fields every morning.  Quoting Chris, “Food is everything. When you are homeless, you miss those home-cooked meals… they become so important.”  It’s why Will’s efforts were so appreciated.

Next up: Mark Ein, Owner of the Washington Kastles.  Mark has hosted SSUSA, to include over 600 people from 20 cities, including Russia.  This year, SSUSA will be held in the brand new Kastles Stadium from June 10-12 (click here for more information).

Sheila Johnson (investor) then came on stage to present the next (and final) award – The Salamander Award for Women’s Impact – to Lisa Wrightsman.  This, by far, was the most amazing story – one that left the room completely quiet, with all eyes on her during her speech.

Sheila and Lisa

Lisa was in jail 18 months ago in Sacramento, CA.  She used to be a professional soccer player for six years and when she was cut from the team, she turned to meth.  Everything came crashing to a halt when she was sent to jail.  When she was released, SSUSA convinced her to play again, something she was hesitant to do, as it was bringing back painful memories, associated with her downfall.  It started with kicking a soccer ball around, then it transitioned to her playing for the SSUSA men’s team.  As of today, she has started the first women’s league, called the Lady Salamanders – a name near and dear to Sheila Johnson’s heart, as it’s meaning is that these women can come back, can continue to grow and regenerate and never give up.

The women’s team is new.  It started with Lisa getting women involved by kicking around a soccer ball with other women, willing to learn.  Then their kids started banding together to play.  They’ve played with a few teams but haven’t won – it’s okay though, as these women are just happy to have something that is rewarding in their lives.  Still, this team has made such an impact that they have raised $90,000 to come to DC and play.

The evening ended with a live auction to send the SSUSA team to the World Cup in Paris, France.  To sponsor an entire team, it was $2000 -  a very inexpensive price.  By the end, they raised enough money to get the entire team there.

This event was, by far, one of the most extraordinary that I’ve been to.  To be able to see some of those that have actually been touched by this organization and the incredibly positive impact it has made, leaves you with a feeling that there are good people in this world who give everything they have to make a difference in one or two people’s lives, and how that turns out having an effect on many more than that.

Lawrence Cann has done something incredibly positive for the world, something that has shown others less fortunate that they are valued in this society and that there are people that do care about them.  In turn, it causes these very same people to spread this message to others.

To see some of these players go from having absolutely nothing, living each day only to survive, and then make the decision to turn their lives around through sports, is one of the most inspiring things I can think of.

To donate to or get involved with SSUSA, click here.

To view photos from the event, click here for K Street Kate’s or here for Washington Life’s, Courtsey of  Alfredo Flores.

UPDATE for this event: Hosts include Kenneth Cole, Maria Cuomo Cole, Sheila Johnson, and Ted Leonsis, honoring NFL’s Troy Vincent, Mark Ein of Washington Kastles, Sheila Johnson to Present Women’s Impact Award, Zach Leonsis to present youth service award, Honorary Guests include designer Kenneth Cole, British Premier League’s Emmerson Boyce, Nike’s Global Business Innovation Director, among other surprises.

If you have note bought your ticket, there’s still time to do so!

This past week I was asked to cover Street Soccer USA, an amazing organization, founded by Lawrence Cann, which gives homeless teens a community in which to build a foundation for a solid life, through soccer.

According to Huffington Post, “When Cann was a young boy, his family’s house burned to the ground. Luckily, the Canns had a support system of friends and family to help them through tough times, but the experience made an impression on the 9-year-old. Cann realized how easily a turn of events can land young people on the streets.  

As an adult, Cann founded Street Soccer USA using his favorite sport to help homeless youth rebuild their lives. The organization provides a network of friends to provide emotional support, while helping teens and young adults set tangible goals to find employment and housing. “

In 2005, the first team was put together in Charlotte.  Today, the organization boasts 20 teams with even a Homeless World Cup, in addition to the Street Soccer USA Cup, being held at Kastles Stadium on the Wharf, on June 10-12, 2011.

In addition to this event, Street Soccer USA will be celebrating some outstanding men and women in this program on June 1, 2011 at the French Embassy.  It’s your chance to witness the true impact of this program on those individuals who have stepped up and made extraordinary strides to better their lives, and serve as inspiration for others.

To see some of these incredibly athletes, view their videos.

All the details of these events are below:

2011 Sport For Social Change Awards

Date: June 1st, 2011

Location: Embassy Of The Republic Of France

Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Click Here for Tickets

For More Information & Sponsorship Levels Please Email Us Directly.

Street Soccer USA Cup: DC 2011 (June 10-12): Free to Attend!

Washington, DC is playing host to the SSUSA Cup for the 4th year in a row! Our friends, the Washington Kastles, have once again welcomed us into their stadium. This year in a new location, “Kastles Stadium on the Wharf” sits on the Potomac River with views of the Washington Monument in the background. With more teams, three SSUSA courts, open tournaments taking place in concert with the SSUSA Cup, the event will be larger and more exciting than ever before. 200 players from 20 SSUSA programs across the country will be on display. All have been training hard and achieving goals on and off pitch as part of their involvement with SSUSA. Come see them in action and be a part of sports for social change.

Friday June 10th: Opening Ceremonies @6:30pm, matches to follow until 10:00pm

Saturday June 11th: Games from 10:00am-8:00pm

Sunday June 12th: Games from 10:00am-4:30pm. Finals at 4:00pm

Location: Washington Kastles Stadium on the Wharf

800 Water St. NW. Washington, DC

Email volunteer@streetsoccerusa.org to sign up to volunteer!!

CLICK HERE to REGISTER YOUR TEAM For One of The Open Cup. The Open Competitions will be played in concert with the SSUSA Cup. Sign up your team and mark your calendar!

Youth: u10-u16  /   Adult:16 & Older  /   Coed: 16 & Older  /   Corporate Division

The past month and a half had been a quiet one for me socially, relatively speaking, because of the three-day event my mall (and some really great people) put on two weekends ago (go to All Access: Fashion for coverage).  Six months of planning, 1000 hours of work (just for myself, not speaking for others) with the last month or so fully dedicated to it, required me “heads down”, requiring two days off afterward.

Last week, I finally emerged and I couldn’t be more excited to see what the rest of fall has to offer.

Capitals vs. Predators – October 3, 2010

… and Predatory they were!  Although the Caps lost (go figure it’s the only loss of the season and I happen to be there), there is nothing like sitting right behind the glass in really awesome seats.  A HUGE shout out goes to my mom and Tom for giving us the tickets, to start my three days off from work, right!

DC Magazine 5th Anniversary Party – October 7, 2010

Happy 5th anniversary to DC Magazine!  They threw a fabulous party atop the new PNC Building, which has been hailed as one of the most green buildings in DC.  Its top floor has a glass-enclosed, almost 360 view of DC, along with a rooftop view of DC, if you were lucky enough to make it up there.  Many notable people made it out to celebrate with the magazine, sip cocktails and dine on some amazing hors d’ ouevres!  We were all sad when it ended at 9pm.  Shout outs go to: Aba Kwawu, Kerry Finnegan, Michael Woestehoff, Jason Hoskin, Moshe and Ashley Zusman, Katy Nelson, Aureta Thomollari, Tara de Nicolas, Alfredo Flores, Paul Wharton, Mary Amons, Erika Litman, Ernie Arias, Seyhan Duru, Leigh McDonald, Mel Davis, Wendy Gordon and many more!

Austrian Opera/Cactus Cantina – October 8, 2010

… so the Austrians, Egyptians and UAE do not believe in ample parking.  Nestled way back in a section of DC that I’ve not been to are these amazing embassies… and no where to park.  After getting all dolled up and doing a drive by, we decided that Cactus Cantina might be a better option.  I’ve long held it as my all-time favorite low-key mexican restaurant, as there is something about the atmosphere that makes the food and the margaritas outstanding, no matter what you’re wearing!

Woody’s Golf – Perils of the Lost Jungle – October 9, 2010

Nestled in between Reston and Great Falls is a great amazing miniature golf course called Perils of the Lost Jungle.  If you have never been there, you should go. It’s like a little piece of amusement park in Northern Virginia.  It takes you on an Indiana Jones-like adventure in the 1930s where you try to avoid dinner plate-sized spiders, crated creatures, trying to escape, poisonous dart frogs and lizards (yes, you get wet), snakes, larger-than-life bees and a witch doctor, all while (attempting) to play 18 holes.  It’s very popular but is entirely worth the trek!  Although I (graciously) lost, it wasn’t by much.

Redskins vs. Packers – October 10, 2010

Once again, my mom and her husband were heros.  They graciously gave us two suite tickets to the Redskins vs. Packers game this past Sunday and was it a GREAT time!  Although the Skins seem to be doing fairly well, they need to stop causing fans’ blood pressure to rise, i.e. the guy sitting next to us in the suite that looked like he’d have to be carted off at the end of the game  The best parts about the suite tickets: Access to club level for great people watching and Redskins’ suite cookies (I could admire from afar).  Hail to the Redskins!

Next up this week: My housewarming party and a very special baby shower!

Since I was three, I’ve been singing the Redskins’ Fight Song.  I spent season after season, sitting on the couch, a fire roaring, leaves falling, watching my parents cheer on the likes of John Riggins, Joe Theismann, Joe Gibbs, Darrell Green and other great players/coaches of that time.  I will admit – their love of this team passed on to me and my belief in them has never waned.

I don’t care that their last Superbowl win was in 1991.  I was bred to be a Redskins fan and always will be.  And so, despite their continual losing season streaks, I get incredibly excited when football season is upon us yet again.

This past Saturday, August 21, my mom was gracious enough to give myself and my boyfriend suite tickets to the Redskins’ game.  Being that he has never been to a pro-football game, he was given quite the VIP treatment.  For me, it was super-exciting – there’s nothing better than watching, live, one of the greatest contact sports of all time.  In addition, there’s nothing more exciting than sharing with someone you love, a favorite memory of yours that has been re-lived over again, through the better part of my 20s and early 30s.

Walking into the stadium is incredibly nostalgic – the club level “inhabitants” from all walks of life (especially those that attend pre-seasongames), those that can’t handle their liquor, celebrating wins, toasting to losses, taking dance classes with the Redskins’ Cheerleaders, trying out for Redskins’ Cheerleading – all of it contained in this one massive structure, known for causing  heartaches in die-hard fans and bringing joy to those who have unwavering hope.

Alas, after the first quarter, things didn’t go as hoped – and we waited two more quarters to realize a victory celebration at 5th Quarter was probably not necessary.  Still, sharing in the experience of the game together more than made up for it.

As we drove home, we agreed that the experience was well worth the effort to get there and it only marked the beginning of a season full of hope and potential wins.  Now where to get that McNabb jersey I need signed…