ESCO Youth Leaders Help Homeless on MLK Day

Elite Soccer Community Organization (ESCO) Youth Leaders gathered on January 18th, MLK Day, for a day of service by making fleece scarves to support JOURNEYS | The Road Home, a non profit organization in Palatine who helps the homeless. Together, they made and donated 384 scarves!

Based in Palatine, JOURNEYS | The Road Home is a non-profit organization that serves individuals and families in north and northwest suburban Cook County who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. JOURNEYS is comprised of three programs: The HOPE Center, PADS Shelter Sites and Pathways Housing Readiness focusing on intervention and prevention. The clinical staff at the HOPE Center provide a wide array of services, including mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation and housing assistance as well as a food pantry and clothing closet. All services offered are provided free of charge. Along the way 18 faith-based partners provide emergency shelter including dinner and a safe, warm place to sleep from October through April.

In addition to making scarves, Youth Leaders collected cold weather clothing to donate as well. Taylor Jacob, Development Associate at JOURNEYS | The Road Home, came and spoke to the Youth Leaders, explaining to them more about her organization, and the impact the scarves would have on the homeless in our community.

Formed in 2010 as the non-profit arm of Elite Soccer, ESCO’s mission is to build community by developing youth through soccer. The Youth Leaders are part of ESCO’s Youth Leadership Program and are provided with opportunities and experiences that foster leadership development, youth empowerment, and self-reflection. Aimed at promoting personal and social development, the program develops and enhances leadership skills and attitudes mostly through volunteer coaching experiences and service project participation. For more information about ESCO and its Youth Leadership Program, visit www.elitesoccercommunity.org.