Street Soccer USA LA coaches rewarded three of its youth program participants with a trip for them and their families to cheer on the Los Angeles Clippers in their home game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, Nov. 28—as an acknowledgement for embodying SSUSA values.
The coaches traveled with the Campo, Rapalo, and Orozco families from the Union Rescue Mission (URM) on Skid Row to the exact location that their program had played at in the Inaugural Los Angeles Cup in August.
Coach Joel Hebert recaps the trip as a special day for the youth as they were selected by the team of coaches at URM to attend based on exemplifying characteristics of “Build Your Triangle” and “Play with Heart” consistently this season.
These characteristics include, both soccer and “street skill,” ranging from passing, concentration, and passion to communication, camaraderie and conflict resolution.
It was the first time ever attending a professional basketball game for many of the members of these three families.
Joel recalls the youth’s smiles being contagious as they arrived at their seats, enough to spread to all the adults.
Ms. Orozco was there with her five children and seemed the happiest of them all. She expressed several times how grateful she was, stating her appreciation for the invitation to the game for her entire family as they don’t get to spend time as a family doing things like this. It truly was a wonderful time for everyone.
The experience was just awarding for the coaches.
“I always love an opportunity to share new experiences with the youth, the amount of excitement, happiness that comes from these shared moments is why I love coaching,” said Joel.
With a win on their home court, it was a good day for the Clippers, and a great day for the families and coaches of SSUSA LA.
