The mission of the 107 Independent Supporters Trust is to support soccer in and around Portland, from the grassroots to the highest professional level. And with your help, along with two very special donations from El Maestro, we’re looking forward to helping to sponsor Street Soccer USA’s Portland team as they train for the Street Soccer USA National Cup in Philadelphia in June.
Who is Street Soccer USA?
Street Soccer USA is an organization whose mission is to fight poverty and empower underserved communities through soccer (you can read more about them here). In Portland this year, Street Soccer USA is working with Outside In, a local organization serving homeless youth and other marginalized members of society. Both Timbers Army and Riveters have worked with Outside In in the past, with match day donation drives and Pride scarf proceeds. We support Outside In’s work and are proud of their efforts to compete in the Street Soccer USA National Cup in Philadelphia. We are raising funds to help sponsor the team’s trip. From Street Soccer USA’s Adam Lewis:
Our team here in Portland is working hard and setting personal goals, all with the dream of participating in this year's Cup. With your support, eight dedicated players (from Portland's homeless, refugee and at-risk communities) will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Philadelphia, play against teams from all over the USA and, most importantly, see that they are not alone.
Robert, one of our most dedicated players, has participated in the National Tournament, was selected as part of team USA and had the opportunity to represent his country in the Homeless World Cup. At last year's Cup, Robert saw that individuals from all over the county shared the challenges he was also overcoming. Here, Robert was a part of something bigger than himself. He not only had his Portland teammates to lean on, but an entire national community that shared his struggles and triumphs. For those that often feel isolated, dehumanized and looked over, the experience of playing with their peers from around the country is a life changing experience.
Now Robert has quit smoking, works full-time at a restaurant and supports himself and his girlfriend. Stories like Robert's always remind me of the importance of participating in the National Cup.
This year we are looking to take eight new players to the tournament. The players will be traveling with a head coach (myself) and social service mentor to help provide the best care and experience possible. Once at the tournament, participants will play multiple matches on the Art Museum steps and enjoy networking events to meet other Street Soccer athletes.
How Can You Help?
This month, thanks to Diego Valeri’s gracious and generous support, there are TWO ways you can help! We have TWO May 3rd raffles for TWO Diego Valeri signed log slices. Here’s how you can enter the log slice raffles and help local Street Soccer USA youth at the same time:
- Sign up/Renew 107IST membership in April. If you aren’t yet a member of the 107 Independent Supporters Trust, or if you haven’t yet renewed, now is an excellent time to sign up or renew. All new memberships and renewals in the month of April will automatically be entered in the May 3rd drawing to receive a signed log slice from Diego Valeri! Already signed up/renewed? That’s okay: you can also refer a friend. If your friend signs up or renews this month and includes your email address in the “Referred by” line, you will also be entered in the drawing.
- Donate to 107IST to be entered into the drawing. If you’d simply like to donate money to the cause, you are also welcome to do so: and you’ll also be entered into the May 3rd drawing to receive a log slice signed by Diego Valeri. $10 gets your name in the drawing once; $25 gets your name in the drawing three times. Here’s the donation link.
We’re proud to support soccer from the grassroots to the highest professional level; and we’re thrilled to see the opportunity for Team/Town/TA to come together to support local youth to compete at a national level.
