The Next Evolution of Soccer Without Boundaries
Getting Involved
making a difference
about us
Founded in 2010 as a drop-in soccer club to help immigrant and low-income children get involved in community, we have grown to an organization that provides opportunities to all.
donating resources
We rely on your support – learn how to donate time as a volunteer, or to give funds as a donor.
what we do…join us!
food security
providing food to those who need it
soccer without boundaries
ensuring everyone can play
tutoring
helping all kids succeed
social enterprise
sharing resources to enable growth
What Drives Us
Our Mission
- Inclusive: inviting every individual to participate; celebrating differences
- Safe Place: giving every child a safe place to play, learn and grow
- Family-centred: supporting each family’s growth and success
- Community: encouraging collective identity; accommodating diversity (49+ nationalities); empowering from within the community
- Teamwork: creating meaningful, engaged and supportive opportunities for integration to serve & build community
- Responsive: meeting community where it is at and acting on change
Our stories
Now feeding over 800 families...because the need is great
our team
Jean Claude Munyezamu
Executive Director & Founder
Jean-Claude Munyezamu is a Rwandan Canadian who escaped the genocide in 1994 and volunteered in refugee camps in Somalia and Sudan before moving to Canada in 1998. In 2010, learning that children in his neighbourhood were getting into trouble, Jean-Claude took some soccer balls to a nearby green space on a Saturday morning. He continues to nurture community relationships with each participating kid and parent, while directing our growing organization.
Wedad Al-Houari
Food Program Coordinator
Born and raised in Calgary, then moving to Syria for 15 years, Wedad has been volunteering with Soccer Without Boundaries for over 3 years. Since March 2020, Wedad is the Food Program Coordinator and manages and prepares the food hampers for families in need around Calgary.
Alemayehu (Alex) Negussie
Assistant Coordinator
Katja Weyer-Bessey
Education Coordinator
Having worked in the social services industry for over 20 years Katja is happy to be part of the Umoja team. She has spent many years working in education as a Program Coordinator, a success coach in high schools, and an aid in preschools. She also has experience as a Career Advisor and loves helping youth in their school and career goals. Born in Germany, Katja moved to Canada with her parents as a baby and grew up in Calgary.
Anabelle Munyezamu
Online tutor
Born and raised in Calgary, Anabelle is currently studying political science at the University of Calgary.
Nardos Tecle
Online tutor
Nardos arrived in Canada as a young girl, from her homeland Eritrea, as a refugee with her family. She is now studying for a double major at the University of Calgary.
Spiro Kajusa
Online tutor
Spiro is currently studying at the University of Calgary.
2020 By Umoja Community Mosaic. All Rights Reserved Umoja Community Mosaic