Des Moines Refugee Support Removes Barriers for Young Athletes

For one young girl in Des Moines, soccer is more than a sport — it is her passion, her outlet, and her pathway to a brighter future.

She lives with her single mother, who is disabled, along with her siblings, niece, and nephew. Life at home can be challenging, but on the soccer field, she thrives. Small but incredibly agile, she plays both defender and scorer with determination and heart. Her teammates are her closest friends, and the game has helped shape her confidence, leadership, and dreams for the future — including the possibility of attending college one day.

Thanks to support from Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa, stories like hers are possible.

Founded in 2016, Des Moines Refugee Support (DMRS) works to identify and bridge gaps for refugee families as they establish new lives in Central Iowa. The organization provides critical support services including food access, transportation, and community connections so families can build stable and successful futures.

A Variety grant helped fund transportation services for DMRS programming, including preschool and the organization’s Success Through Soccer program. Transportation is often one of the biggest barriers for the children and families DMRS serves. Without reliable transportation, many children would be unable to attend school programs, practices, games, or community activities.

The grant helped cover vehicle rentals, fuel, insurance, drivers, and meals during transportation times — ensuring children could safely access opportunities that support both personal growth and academic success.

For DMRS, the impact goes far beyond getting children from one place to another.

By removing transportation barriers, Variety is helping refugee children build friendships, discover confidence, pursue their passions, and create brighter futures — one ride, one practice, and one goal at a time.