Throughout fall of 2021, students in 4ATX Foundation’s Verde Leaders program had the chance to grow and learn both on the field and in the classroom. Between September 7 and the end of season party on November 13, the program served 345 students and delivered 6,776 hours of education through soccer.
In addition to weekly practices, Verde Leaders hosted six community events, including games at St. David’s Performance Center (the training of the Austin FC First Team) on October 9, and a trip for 150 students and family members to Q2 Stadium to see an Austin FC home facility match on October 16.
This fall, Verde Leaders launched a Youth Leadership Program, where select middle school and high school students met weekly off the field to develop their leadership skills. These young leaders attended a workshop on November 5 with Q2 employees.
“Being a part of Verde Leaders has helped me to develop my social skills and my soccer skills,” said Penueli Kihundu, a senior at Eastside Early College High School and a member of the Youth Leadership Council. “It has provided me with many opportunities in and out the soccer society. Verde Leaders welcomed me with love and care which means a lot to me, it has created a safe space for me and my little siblings.”
At the program’s end of season party last Saturday at Dobie Middle School, the final 11v11 games of the season took place for middle school and high school students. Each family in attendance also received a turkey voucher, courtesy of H-E-B as part of the H-E-B Season of Giving, to help purchase a turkey for the upcoming holidays.
The Verde Leaders program will return in February 2022 to continue its mission of nurturing Austin’s next generation of leaders.
