By JC Montenegro, PhD

(Los Angeles, California) – This initiative brings a historic opportunity to children from Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles—communities where many young people face limited access to organized sports and recreational opportunities. Through this grant, over $26,000 has been invested to expand soccer programming for more than 80 children per season, ages 9 to 14, providing structured leagues and seasonal play that introduce discipline, teamwork, and healthy development through sport.

Since September 2025, the program has strengthened access to soccer for youth who often cannot afford participation in organized sports. For many of these children, this is their first experience being part of a structured team environment.

A group of 20 children from the Salesian Family Youth Center will be given the extraordinary opportunity to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles.

Thanks to LASEC, led by Kathryn Schloessman

At the heart of this effort is a powerful vision: to ensure that children growing up in underserved neighborhoods not only play the game but also witness it at the highest level. Thanks to LASEC, led by Kathryn Schloessman, a group of 20 children from the Salesian Family Youth Center will be given the extraordinary opportunity to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles.

For these young participants, this experience represents far more than attendance at a sporting event. It is a moment of inspiration—an encounter with possibility on a global stage that many never imagined accessible.

The Salesian Family Youth Center has served the Boyle Heights and surrounding communities since 1966, guided by a mission to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens while supporting their families in that effort. Today, the organization serves more than 2,000 children and youth annually through educational, recreational, and faith-based programs.

Soccer has become one of the most impactful tools in this mission. In neighborhoods where many families cannot afford organized sports, the game becomes a bridge—keeping children engaged, active, and away from the streets while building discipline, confidence, and community.

Transportation for the World Cup experience will be provided by the Salesian Family Youth Center, ensuring that participation is fully accessible to the selected youth. LASEC will provide the match tickets, making this experience possible through shared commitment and collaboration.

According to LASEC leadership, the purpose of this initiative is to reach children who otherwise would never have access to opportunities of this scale. This commitment reflects a broader effort to ensure that the excitement and global impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026 extends beyond stadiums and into communities that are often overlooked.

For the children of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, this opportunity is already creating excitement and anticipation. It represents a rare chance to step into a world they have only seen on television and to witness the highest level of the sport they love.

The Salesian Family Youth Center extends its deepest gratitude to LASEC, the LA84 Foundation, and all partners who continue to invest in the future of young people. This initiative is not only about soccer—it is about opening doors, building dreams, and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to experience moments that can shape their future.

As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026, this partnership stands as a reminder that the true legacy of global events is measured not only in stadiums and matches, but in the lives of the young people they inspire.