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NWSL Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC to Compete on Behalf of Journey of Hope as Part of Verizon Community Shield

September 30, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release


SANDY, Utah - Utah Royals FC have selected Journey of Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Sandy, Utah, that aims to provide support to women and girls at-risk in Utah whose status put them in jeopardy for further harm and incarceration, as the team's selection for the Verizon Community Shield competition as part of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League Fall Series.

The Verizon Community Shield is a partnership between the NWSL and Verizon, where each of the NWSL's nine clubs will partner with small businesses or programs in their community. The team with the most points at the end of the Fall Series will be awarded the Verizon Community Shield and the opportunity to present a grant of $25,000 to their community partner, made possible by Verizon. $15,000 and $10,000 will be presented to the second and third-place teams, respectively.

Journey of Hope empowers at-risk women and girls -- the homeless, the trafficked, those fleeing domestic violence, the addicted, the mentally ill, women transitioning from jail and prison, and girls aging out of state services -- by providing resources through mentoring and case management.

Earlier this month the team had the opportunity to meet with the founder and Executive Director of Journey of Hope, Shannon Miller-Cox, where they got to hear firsthand from a survivor of domestic violence who walked through the organization's program. It was after this meeting that the team felt compelled to select them as their organization of choice for the Verizon Community Shield.

"After getting to know Journey of Hope we knew we wanted to help in any way that we could," Utah Royals FC captain Amy Rodriguez said. "To spotlight this organization is something we are very proud of, and I hope we can make a positive difference in our community."

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