Fort Worth
Coach: Karla Gray
Year of particiaption: First
Level of Programming: 1D
After researching SSUSA, coach Karla Gray decided that a program she want to become involved in, and began the Street Soccer Texas program. Fort Worth had its first practice in December of 2008.
To date, it is customary for there to be up to 20 players gathering in a vacant field in the homeless area of Fort Worth on Monday and Wednesday nights.
The program in Fort Worth is doing very well and the eight players chosen to go to Washington are working hard to maintain the level of leadership and discipline required to be considered for that special privilege.
Texas Team from left to right: Chris, Duglas, Steve, Coach Karla, Coach Warren, Kevin, Tyrone, Coach Ryan, Javier Not pictured: Mark, James, Jock
Meet Our Team
Duglas
Born in El Salvadore, during a time of Civil War to a mother who stayed gone for months at a time, Duglas Voigt fed and took care of his younger sister until they were put into an orphanage when he was six years old. Three months later, they were adopted together, by a family in
Duglas and his sister had a hard time fitting into a world where food was readily available, a mother was there to nurture them and a larger family of siblings didn’t understand the torture and abuse they had suffered.
Duglas made good grades in school, but after joining a gang, where he delivered and dealt drugs, he chose to discontinue going to school a couple of months short of graduation.
Shortly after, Duglas was arrested and served five years in prison. From there, he worked temporary jobs. Eventually, he lost even his car, which led him to living in the streets.
Being homeless has been a harsh lesson for Duglas. He’s now off a drugs and stays away from all gang activity. He’s working toward his GED and intends to enroll in college in the fall semester to get a degree in Drafting.
Duglas is a strong and dependable young man. Although he hates the leadership role, his natural abilities and common sense make team members look to him for advice. There is no other member of our team who has demonstrated so much growth and change.
Kevin
Kevin Polk started hanging around the soccer field from the first practice. He’d disappear and then show up again several weeks later to play, or just shag balls.
Kevin is a 40-year-old man who has suffered from three heart attacks. He also has two herniated and bulging discs in his neck, which has left him unable to hold on to tools for any length of time.
During his last heart attack, his fiancé decided she didn’t want to deal with his illness, leaving him in a deep depression. Self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, Kevin then lost his job of 15 years, refurbishing aircraft interiors.
Shortly after, Kevin lost everything and has been on the streets for the two-and-a-half years since. He hasn’t had a drop to drink in nearly 9 months.
Mild mannered, extremely witty, kind and dependable, Kevin admits that he’s forgotten how to dream and wishes he didn’t suffer from depression and serious bouts of anxiety.
Officially joining the team three months ago, he looks forward to soccer practice and is one of our strongest goalies.
