With two nieces aged six and 10, Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair knows all too well the impact of the pandemic and everything that comes with it on today’s youth.
“They’ve struggled with not being able to go to school and see their friends,” stated Sinclair. “A lot of their school programs and sports, I mean they’re starting up again now, but they struggled with the isolation and being stuck at home and not being able to do the things that kids are normally able to do.
“And they have an incredible support system. I can only imagine how other youth feel that maybe don’t have the same support system.”
To that end, the 37-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., has joined forces with the Canadian Women’s Foundation to help raise funds for girls impacted by the pandemic. With International Day of the Girl calendared for Oct. 11, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has launched the ShowUpForGirls campaign.
The campaign asks people to share how they are doing their part to uplift girls in the pandemic using the hashtag .ShowUpForGirls.
Thanks to Giant Tiger and Sinking Ship Entertainment, every donation made in October to support girls’ programs in Canada through the campaign will also be tripled, up to $20,000.
Isolation has exacerbated mental health issues, as have increased economic instability and the threat of violence at home. The Canadian Women’s Foundation says local “girl-focused” programs face growing challenges to stay open.
The foundation funds such programs through its Girls’ Fund, which gives girls and non-binary youth tools “to develop into confident, resilient people.”
For the Portland-based Sinclair, the campaign is also an opportunity to give back to Canada and help where it is needed. Sinclair has been able to get back to Canada once since February, serving her quarantine at the family cabin.
On the field, Sinclair has scored four times in her last two matches for Portland as the NWSL continues play with its abbreviated, regional Fall Series.
The Thorns wrap that up Saturday against the OL Reign in Tacoma, Wash.
