Groups Helping Refugees Attend Rising Soccer Matches

Refugee families are treated to Phoenix Rising home game thanks to Rising in America partnership. Photo/Welcome to America Project

Four different Phoenix-based entities from different industries have combined to support “Rising In America,” a fan-driven program that donates Phoenix Rising FC tickets to refugees in Phoenix.

The program was created in partnership with Phoenix Rising FC, Phoenix’s professional soccer club that has made a splash around the world by signing soccer legends Didier Drogba (who is also an owner) and Omar Bravo; The Welcome to America Project, a nonprofit that helps refugees recently placed in Phoenix settle into their new home; CO+HOOTS, central Phoenix’s first and largest coworking community; and Uber Arizona, the Phoenix branch of the popular and widely-used ride-hailing app.

Rising In America allows Phoenix Rising FC fans and others to buy discounted tickets ($10 each) to Rising home matches that will go directly into the hands of a refugee family in Phoenix. The program launched before The Rising’s last home match on June 10 and the 20 tickets allotted for refugee children sold out in less than 30 minutes.

“Many refugees love soccer, so what better way to make them feel more welcome in America than helping them experience a professional soccer match here, especially one featuring the world-famous Didier Drogba,” said CO+HOOTS Co-founder Odeen Domingo, who first brought the idea to PRFC and The Welcome to America Project. “They may not know professional soccer exists here or have the means or the access technology to purchase tickets. I wanted to show that our community here does welcome refugees and has the generosity to help someone less fortunate experience something that could be once-in-a-lifetime.”

“Phoenix Rising FC embraces our diverse community and understands how important it is to have impactful relationships that will inspire and benefit our youth,” said Rising’s community and partnership marketing manager Heber Valenzuela. “We fell in love with Rising in America’s mission to nourish our refugee community through the beautiful game.”

The Welcome to America Project’s role is to select the refugee families and individuals who will receive the tickets through their roster of people they’ve helped over the years.

“The refugees WTAP serves love soccer and many grew up watching Didier Drogba,” The Welcome to America Project’s executive director Collin Cunningham said. “Rising In America was the perfect opportunity to connect refugee youth with great soccer right here in Phoenix. This is a dream come true for many of these kids.”

Uber Arizona recently came aboard to support the program. It has set up 20 free roundtrip codes for refugee families to use to help them get to and from the stadium.

To buy tickets that will be donated to refugees, call Rising account specialist Joey Castor at 480.244.0342. If Rising fans aren’t using their tickets for home matches, they can also transfer their ticket to a refugee by emailing their ticket to risinginamerica@gmail.com.