West End United Players Take Marta Trip for a Special Surprise
What seemed to be regular, Wednesday afternoon practice for the West End United players turned into a big surprise and an exciting field trip. These players were a part of the first-ever design session for a soon-to-be-delivered decommissioned MARTA rail car.
West End Kids riding MARTA
What seemed to be regular, Wednesday afternoon practice for the West End United players turned into a big surprise and an exciting field trip. These players were a part of the first-ever design session for a soon-to-be-delivered decommissioned MARTA rail car. This rail car is special since it will be placed at the StationSoccer West End location and become a learning center.
The players, along with Coach Joel Apudo and their parents, scurried to the MARTA platform following practice to ride MARTA to the ATL City Design Studio in Downtown Atlanta. Once there, the kids were escorted to tables around the room scattered with colored pencils and drawing accessories. As the presentation began, the kids were told they were going to help design their own decommissioned MARTA rail car.
Many gasps were heard and thoughts started running through their creative minds as they envisioned what their railcar could look like!
“This is so exciting!” said Taniyah, an 11-year-old West End United player. “This will be my second home in the West End and being able to put my own design on it makes me so happy.”
As the session continued, colorful railcars came to life right before their eyes. All the kids were laughing and showing their teammates what they had designed, even naming their creations as well.
Taniyah showing her creative design on the railcar wrap
“I think I want to name it The West End Warrior,” said Taniyah. “It stands for something strong and that’s our mascot. It could be our own mascot!”
With passion and creativity bubbling, you could feel what the kids now call a second homecoming to life with just colored pencils. Imagine what the final product will be as the design team incorporates everyone’s ideas into one.
As a mother of two of the West End United players, Janine, sees the future of this learning center becoming something monumental in the community.
“The new railcar learning center would create a different space where I can interact with my children in an informal yet educational manner,” said Janine. “With everyday schedules and routines possibly becoming mundane, the learning center will allow children to be open to new learning experiences. My children believe the center will help enhance their knowledge of soccer and teach them life lessons.”
The ATL City Design team has been working closely with the Soccer in the Streets team over the last year, by helping execute the best learning and activity center for the West End community.
The City Design Interim Assistant Director, Vanessa Lira led the kids in activities on that special evening. She and her team are grateful for the project.
City Design Studio Team
“The work of the studio focuses on designing, building, and activating vibrant public spaces and we believe Station Soccer sites do just that”, said Lira. “These sites leverage underutilized land that is highly accessible to connect and empower communities.”
Though this project means a great deal to the design team, it means, even more, to see the kid’s eyes light up when they were asked for their ideas.
“We’re excited to work with the kids on the design since they will be the ones using it every day”, Lira said. “Involving the community and end-users in the design process is key to a successful public space. Kids are very creative and are not bound by conventional ideas like adults, so the feedback we get is inspiring and unique.”
This special project is important to the community of the West End and Soccer In the Streets will be a place for the West End community to gather and the kids to use as a safe place to make their second home.
Decommissioned Rail Car To Become Learning Center for the community of Atlanta
On Thursday evening at a fundraiser held at Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, Jeff Parker, general manager and chief executive officer of MARTA made a special announcement that will impact the community of Atlanta! Mr. Parker announced that MARTA will be donating a decommissioned rail car to Soccer in the Streets. This decommissioned rail car will be located at our StationSoccer-West End location in 2020.
Decommissioned Rail Car To Become Learning Center for the community of Atlanta
On Thursday evening at a fundraiser held at Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, Jeff Parker, general manager and chief executive officer of MARTA made a special announcement that will impact the community of Atlanta! Mr. Parker announced that MARTA will be donating a decommissioned rail car to Soccer in the Streets. This decommissioned rail car will be located at our StationSoccer-West End location in 2020. Over the next few months, we’ll be working with the Atlanta City Design Studio and a group of youth from the West End to design the interior of the rail car. When completed the rail car will be used as a learning center for various activities by the families and youth of the West End community as well as MARTA events. We look forward to working with MARTA, Atlanta City Design Studio, HKS, Makhers Studio our partners and the community on this project!
A special thanks to the Atlanta City Council members: Amir Farokhi, Andrea Boone, Jennifer Ide, J.P. Matzigkeit, Marci Collier Overstreet, Matt Westmoreland, Michael Julian Bond
We’ll have more details in the near future as this exciting new project gets underway!
Women Leaders Spreading Their Knowledge To Our Female Players
As you entered the room filled with young female athletes at Agape Youth & Family Center, one can sense the excitement of the crowd anxious to hear inspiring stories told by empowering female role models. This day was a special day for the Soccer in the Streets community as twenty young girls were on hand for the 34th annual National Girls in Women’s Sports Day. This day is held annually to highlight the equal opportunity and the importance of Title IX.
SITS girls youth players participating in the NGWSD event
As you entered the room filled with young female athletes at Agape Youth & Family Center, one can sense the excitement of the crowd anxious to hear inspiring stories told by empowering female role models. This day was a special day for the Soccer in the Streets community as twenty young girls were on hand for the 34th annual National Girls in Women’s Sports Day. This day is held annually to highlight the equal opportunity and the importance of Title IX.
Many of these young female athletes are unaware of the issues that other females have faced growing up. The panel was an array of female activists. From the Atlanta United program, Latin American Association Board, Laureus Sport for Good, and the International Business Exchange
The confidence, strength, and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. Leigh Jakes, a former pro soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars, has overcome many obstacles in her life.
Female panelists expressing the importance of female empowerment in sport
“I have to overcome many injuries and setbacks that caused me to doubt myself,” said Jakes. “I had to remember I couldn’t show other people my worth until I believed in myself first. And now I take that confidence with me when I train coaches to coach our youth recreation programs.”
“It’s so important for girls to know their power, to find their voice, to know that they have the right to take up space in this world. Sports tap into that strength, so girls get involved in any way that you can!”
Throughout the day, it was powerful to sit and watch this younger generation of girls bubble with excitement as they heard words of encouragement and empowerment. Hands were raised asking questions about deeper stories and not only about sport, but her life in general.
A mentor for the Latina females and board member of the Latin American Association, Karla Arriola, spoke on her time workforce and life experiences.
“I always had trouble with being confident with speaking English, and being a confident Latina woman,” said Arriola. “After realizing that this is just who I am and being the only Latina in a room, I have become a role model for others. At the National Girls and Women in Sports Day event, I felt empowered to speak about my past experiences to help guide these young women.”
This annual event highlights women leaders around the world influencing young athletes to be motivated and empowered in their sport’s industry. Soccer in the Streets supports all the women leaders who shine a light on gender equality.