Vancouver FC’s last game of the season is their Community Foundations match, which aims to provide awareness of obstacles to basic necessities that some people may be facing in their daily life. It has been a driving purpose of this Club to give back to the community and to leave it in a better place than when we arrived.

Ahead of the Community Foundations match, Vancouver FC visited one of the many organizations that are doing great work in the community and giving back to those who are in need, Community Living Society (CLS). CLS is a non-profit organization that supports adults (over the age of 19) with Developmental Disability (DD), Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) or Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI) designation.

“CLS was formed over 40 years ago by a group of families who wanted a better life for their children, who at that point lived in an institution,” shares Janice Barr, CEO of CLS. “This is the result of the dreams and aspirations of those families, for their children to live in community with dignity and respect.”

CLS helps their clients through three service areas surrounding basic needs: home & community, work, and planning & support. This includes operating supported living facilities, assistance in searching and applying for jobs, and providing important mental health resources to plan for their future.

Basic necessities such as food and socialization typically go unappreciated until they are out of reach, which was something that both VFC striker, Ameer Kinani, and VFC defender, Lennon Thompson, were able to understand first hand. The players visited one of CLS’ staffed homes to see how something as simple as sharing moments over a meal or intentional conversation can completely change someone’s life.

The atmosphere in the house was tingling with excitement as Kinai and Thompson visited and chatted with the clients, while also taking time to show off some of their football skills and teach a few small moves. Finally, the pair got to enjoy a meal with everyone from the house that was prepared and served by the staff and management team from CLS.

“I think that what [VFC is] doing right now is wonderful, which is connecting with community groups and connecting directly with the people that are served by those community groups,” shared Barr about the visit. “You’ve come and actually got to know people and you’ve invited them into your world, which is the game and brought players. So I think that’s a gift for us.”

While visiting, Kinani met Keri, who’s non-verbal, and learned that she uses physical gestures to communicate with others. Kinani took this to heart and set to work creating his own gestures to say “I love you” to Keri. Kinani has been moved by his encounter with Keri that he said he’ll dedicate his next goal celebration to her.

Thompson also created new connections and received more love than words could express. “The people that work here are the most kind, gentlest people you’ll ever meet,” remarked Thompson. “They love their job and they’re doing this out of the pureness of their soul.

“Also, some of these clients are nonverbal but I almost got more emotions from them than I would from anyone else. It’s like I won the World Cup for them and they’re super excited, it was a really unbelievable feeling.”

Visits like the ones Kinani and Thompson made to CLS are some of the most important sources of community assistance they can receive. It is the positive social interactions that can really fuel a person and as CLS Manager, Christina Montonen, explains is sometimes taken for granted, “It’s one of the things that have been overlooked in the past. We all are the same and we all want to be able to be included and we all want to be able to feel like we belong,” said Mortonen.

“They’re just so bright and such beautiful souls,” Mortonen says about CLS’ clients. “So to be able to be a part of that and to bring a smile to their face, I think that’s what enriches everyone’s life.”

The visit to CLS was a life-changing experience for Kinani and Thompson. After walking out of the doors of the supported-living house, they got a better understanding of what playing for a professional team and representing a community means. “It’s been a really good experience, eye-opening and honestly just good on the soul,” commented Thompson.

“I want to thank the club for bringing me here. It was a really good experience, I learned a lot and this brought a lot of joy to me,” added Kinani.

Kinani and Thompson are looking forward to seeing their friends from CLS again this Friday who will be special guests in the “Community Foundations” match. Come visit CLS stand to learn more about what they are doing and how can you help them. Fans are also invited to be part of this Food and Hygiene products donation drive for Foundry Langley. Cheer the boys in their last game of the year and support your community by getting your tickets here or at Gate 1 of the Langley Events Centre.