Junior Miracle Soccer Program Brings Families Together in White Rock
From packed stadiums to neighbourhood fields, soccer has a remarkable ability to bring people together. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup shines a spotlight on the sport in Vancouver, The Salvation Army White Rock Church and Community Services is seeing that same sense of connection taking place among families in the community. The vision for the program began when Captains Dae-Gun Kim and Aejin Jeong asked how they could better serve families in White Rock and South Surrey. Recognizing the growing number of young families in the area, they saw an opportunity to create an accessible sports program that would welcome children of all backgrounds.
For many families, financial barriers can make organized sports difficult to access, leaving some children on the sidelines. The Junior Miracle Soccer Program was created to help remove those barriers by providing children with the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence, and experience the encouragement of teammates and mentors. Since launching last April, the program now provides nearly 30 children with access to organized sports. Through soccer games, children learn the importance of teamwork, resilience, and faith while discovering the value of belonging to a supportive community. Open to children ages 7–13, the program welcomes participants of all skill levels and provides a place where every child can grow, participate, and feel included.
“We not only give them a chance to learn how to play soccer, but also a place where they can find a sense of belonging, develop their identity, and build friendships. They’re learning to care for one another. Soccer isn’t just for one person, it’s about teamwork.”
– Captain Dae-Gun Kim, Corps Officer, Salvation Army White Rock
The program’s impact reaches beyond the turf, bringing together families from diverse cultural backgrounds in ways that foster genuine community. Dae-Gun shared a meaningful moment from the last day of the spring session. One of the Muslim mothers wanted to celebrate her daughter’s birthday with the team, so she brought a big cake to share. The group gathered together, sang “Happy Birthday,” and celebrated the occasion as a community. Reflecting on that moment, Dae-Gun shared how much it meant to see the family’s joy and sense of belonging, “It was such an emotional moment for me to witness. She was so happy, and I could sense that she felt this was her community.”
Moments like this reveal the true impact of the program. While families may first arrive for the love of the game, they soon discover something even more meaningful, a space where children build confidence, friendships grow, and families from different backgrounds come together. Through soccer, they are not only learning skills on the field, but they are also creating memories, celebrating one another, and building a stronger sense of belonging.
As the World Cup highlights soccer’s power to bring people together around the globe, the Junior Miracle Soccer Program demonstrates what that same spirit can look like within a local community. Through every practice, game, and shared celebration, children and families are discovering that soccer is not only a sport, but more importantly it is a way to bring people together.
To learn more about the programs and services offered at The Salvation Army White Rock Church and Community Services and to donate visit WhiteRockSA.ca
By: Julianna Acosta