Atlanta United announces ‘United We Conquer’ Initiative
Atlanta United today announced its ‘United We Conquer’ initiative, which will serve as a platform for the club to give back to the community, acknowledge and support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis and offer resources for fans and community members who would like to learn about safe volunteering opportunities. Included in the initiative, the Atlanta United Foundation will grant long-time partner Soccer in the Streets $85,000 to assist with the non-profit’s operational and coaching expenses during this time. Soccer in the Streets provides free youth soccer programming across metro-Atlanta helping to grow the game of soccer; and allows broader access to the sport through the award-winning StationSoccer program. In addition, the club is launching the Atlanta United community resources page, found at atlutd.com/communitypartners. The page will house information on how the club and its partners are collaborating with organizations throughout the Atlanta area to offer a variety of resources such as access to food, childcare, financial relief, local rideshare, fitness opportunities and restaurants offering take-out or delivery. The resources page also outlines virtual along with safe and compliant in-person volunteering opportunities, including food packing and delivery, blood drives and cash donations.“A core value of our club is giving back to others, whether it’s through grant giving to a valued partner like Soccer in the Streets, or providing a central place where our community can go to learn about contributing during these challenging times,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “There are many ways to give back either virtually or through safe volunteering opportunities. We hope the community resources page will help to encourage our fans to engage and support in a way that works best for them.”In addition, to say thank you and support those on the frontlines, Atlanta United will be placing billboard tributes in the metro-Atlanta area dedicated to the women and men working in essential industries supporting our community.‘United We Conquer’ follows the launch of ‘MLS Unites,’ Major League Soccer’s league-wide platform that highlights all of the efforts that MLS players, coaches, clubs and the league are doing to address the important messages and programs taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.Also, announced on March 20, Atlanta United owner, Arthur Blank, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation committed nearly $5.4 million in funding for immediate and long-term recovery assistance to organizations providing critical support throughout Georgia and Montana. The Foundation will grant $5 million to The Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund established by United Way of Greater Atlanta and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
ABOUT ATLANTA UNITED
Atlanta United joined Major League Soccer in 2017 and won the 2018 MLS Cup in just its second season, the earliest an expansion team has won the title since 1998. The club has set multiple league records including season tickets sales (36,000-plus), single-game attendance (72,548), single-season average (53,002) and total home attendance (901,033). Owned by Arthur M. Blank, and led by club President Darren Eales, Atlanta United plays its home matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For more information about Atlanta United, including how to purchase season tickets, visit: www.atlutd.com, and follow @ATLUTD and @VamosATLUTD.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA UNITED FOUNDATION
The Atlanta United Foundation (AUF) strives to make the game of soccer accessible and inclusive for individuals across the state of Georgia. Through the global game of soccer, our grant programs stress the importance of physical fitness while building a supportive culture of play and sportsmanship. AUF invests in nonprofit organizations that make soccer fun, exciting, and accessible for individuals who otherwise would not get to participate. AUF is an affiliated fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
ABOUT SOCCER IN THE STREETS
Soccer in the Streets empowers underserved youth through sports-based training, character development, mentoring, and employability programs. We reach kids on the field, in small-group classroom sessions, through hands-on experiences and activities, and participation in youth leadership councils. Equal access to quality soccer training and educational opportunities, as well as leveling the playing field across the board, are also key elements in our core mission. For more information about Soccer in the Streets, visit www.soccerstreets.org, or follow us on Twitter at @soccerstreets and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soccerstreets