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Christmas Comes Early For Kids At La Posada Shelter In El Paso

Simon Thompson

Homelessness is a devastating experience for families.  It affects the physical and emotional health of family members and interferes with virtually every aspect of childhood, including the magic of Christmas.

Christmas may have came early for the kids at the La Posada women’s shelter in El Paso.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAyPd88YBHc&feature=youtu.be

They have a new soccer field covered in bright green astroturf, soccer balls and goals to play and practice on. 

15 year old Yuricxie Vizcarra has been living in the El Paso women’s shelter with her mother for almost six months she said they were playing soccer before; only with empty bottles or busted basketballs in the gravel and dirt.

“Now with the soccer field it is amazing it is something that we want to go out and have fun on, every hour, every minute, without taking breaks.” Vizcarra said.

UTEP Physical therapy student Kiersten Garrand helped co-ordinate the project she said she noticed the kids love for soccer as she was volunteering at the shelter with classmates.

“They just wanted to play soccer” Garrand said “Whether we wanted to play on the swings or do homework or do other activities they were constantly trying to play soccer; whether it was with  bottles or basketballs or anything they had. So we decided to help them out and try to build them a field”

Garrand and the rest of her Physical therapy class raised $6500.00 from supporters in the El Paso community to make the kids soccer dreams a reality.

There are about twenty five kids spending this Christmas at the La Posada shelter with their families. Director Monica Martinez says most are here because of domestic violence. Martinez said the new pitch is also as much a gift to the mothers that ended up here as it is too the kids playing on it.  

“If they don’t have a place to play they are inside. So they are locked up, you know with a lot of other children they are very frustrated, they get in trouble they don’t know what to do with them selves so the fresh air, the exercise they are able to sleep better.” Martinez said

"The mothers get a respite, they can focus on them selves while the children are focusing on them selves, so it helps the entire family.”

Credit Simon Thompson

A study by the International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation has shown that kids engaged in team sports and physical activity are more capable of avoiding emotional and behavioral issues and can make healthier psychological adjustments.

Yuricxie Vizcarra said the recently installed soccer field has created a new space for her, her family and friends at the shelter to celebrate and share Christmas.

“It is even better at Christmas time. It is fun; more time around friends and family even our mums want to come out and talk now.” Vizcarra said.

“I want to thank that they brought this to us. It is a privilege it is a gift especially around Christmas, I really want to thank them.”

The durable and easily maintained astro turf should make for good play for 15 years. La Posada shelter director Monica Martinez said it will be a space for kids and families to play and unwind for many years and holidays to come.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, families comprise 41% of the homeless population.

 

Simon Thompson was a reporter/producer for KRWG-TV's Newsmakers from 2014 to 2017. Encores of his work appear from time to time on KRWG-TV's Newsmakers and KRWG-FM's Fronteras-A Changing America.