HILBERT MEN'S SOCCER GIVES NEW MEANING TO NYC YOUTH SOCCER

When Hilbert head men's soccer coach Jeff Panik donated his old Hilbert College men's soccer kits in January 2015, he was hoping that a youth soccer program could extend the life of the uniforms.

Not only have the royal and white uniforms lifted the attitudes of a group of immigrant soccer players but New York's Catholic Charities has arranged for a handful of those athletes to meet Pope Francis when he tours New York City on September 25.

Catholic Charities Community Services accepted Panik's soccer uniforms and delivered them to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, who in turn, outfitted a team of young men who fled Central America.  These illegal immigrants are living with relatives or other sponsors just waiting for immigration court hearings to determine if they can stay in our country.

"Soccer in a way makes them forget everything," says Elvis Garcia Callejas, who helps coach the team with staff from South Bronx United, an organization that runs youth soccer programs in New York. "Sometimes you see them in immigration court really worried, and then you come see them play soccer. They are kids again."