Let's call her Renee (the girl in the purple & black headband smiling at you). Renee starting playing soccer with NorthStar around 6 years old (see photos in gallery - click on the gallery link in the upper right corner of the team photo). She is from a single parent family with little resource and NorthStar has made the soccer experience possible for her. Renee loves the game and is a stand out in her age group. We encouraged her to move to our Academy/Club Team program. She has thrived with the additional skill training, the team experience and the mentoring/bible study led by interns and volunteers over the years. The soccer component that NorthStar provides is life changing for Renee as she aspires to play at higher levels in the future. The fact that we do it with a carefully nurturing environment is even bigger. Renee had some on going inter-personal challenges with #27 next to her - little squabbles that got bigger on kid social media platforms and turned into hurt feelings and conflict spilling out on the field. We have worked carefully with the girls and parents to diffuse conflict, teach skills for navigating such issues, and building team. Pray these lessons will stay with Renee and other girls long after they are done with NorthStar Soccer. Your support will help make the coming program year possible for Renee and the girls on this team.