Inclusion: The Gift of Welcoming Others

By Founder Annie B. Carter

The World Cup is a powerful reminder of how sports can bring people together. Players and fans from different countries, cultures and backgrounds unite through a shared love of the game. Their differences do not take away from the experience but enhance it and that is what makes the World Cup so special.

Inclusion is deeply personal to our family because Holden lived it so naturally. Our house was a revolving door of teammates, friends and people from all walks of life. He had an incredible gift of opening his life and our home to others, making people feel welcome and giving them a place where they felt they belonged.

When Holden went through confirmation, parents were asked to write their child a letter. I wrote that one of the greatest gifts he had given our family was teaching us to love and accept people from all walks of life. I included the following quote from Maya Angelou, "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color; equal in importance no matter their texture." Holden helped our family understand the beauty of that tapestry.

As Goal 13 continues to grow and serve more boys and girls from different sports, schools and communities, inclusion will remain an important part of our programming. We want every student-athlete to understand that their voice matters and that they also have the ability and the responsibility to help others feel seen, accepted and valued.

Holden taught our family that when we open our hearts, our homes and our lives to others, we receive far more than we give. That is the kind of inclusion we hope to encourage through Goal 13. We are not simply welcoming people into a program, but making sure they know they truly belong and are part of a larger, very special family.