Community

community outreach

GFR's Commitment to the Underserved in the Local Community

As part of its mission, GFR strives to reach ALL players - regardless of socio-economic limitations or disabilities. GFR hosts several programs that help meet the needs of the underserved in our local community:

TOPSoccer - Athletes with Disabilities
GFR's TOPSoccer program holds modified soccer sessions for athletes between 6 and 18 years of age with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities and offers those programs FREE to those who qualify. Participants attend weekly sessions and are given a GFR jersey, all at no cost. These weekly sessions, which are offered during both the Fall and Spring soccer seasons, are adapted to meet the special needs of the participants and are geared toward individual development rather than competition. The program is staffed by older GFR players who volunteer their time to bring the "beautiful game" to a set of athletes who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

GFR's TOPSoccer program has doubled in size over the past 2 years and has been recognized by Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) in its monthly publication. In addition, GFR's teen TOPSoccer coach/coordinator was awarded VYSA's prestigious TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year 2021.

Soccer Leagues at Local Elementary Schools
GFR organized the Dogwood Clásico at Dogwood Elementary School (Reston) for more than 140 children from low-income families in Fall 2021 and intends to expand the program to other area schools in Spring 2022. This one-day event of soccer games and fun, offered at no cost to qualifying players, gave students the opportunity to get on the field (many for the first time) to experience organized soccer games and activities under the supervision of GFR's coaches and trainers. In its ideal and intended format, a league, in which teams from different Reston schools would compete against each other, would be organized and weekly games would be played during the fall and spring seasons. GFR is working closely with Reston schools in underpriviledged communities as well as with corporate sponsors to make this league a reality for players who otherwise might not ever have the experience of playing organized soccer with friends and schoolmates.

Used Uniform and Gear Collections
GFR runs annual collection drives for used uniforms and gear and allocates those collections to communities that are financially challenged. Southgate Community Center in Reston, the receipient of GFR's 2021 drive, was able to reallocate a truckload of collected clothing and gear to those most in need.

If you would like to be involved with GFR's community outreach efforts, either through volunteer efforts or financial support, please reach out to Richard Shelton, Executive Director, at [email protected].

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