MLS awards 4 Austin-area leaders with $15K grants

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Major League Soccer awarded $15,000 grants to four Austin community leaders as part of its All-Star Hometown Heroes program. Q2 Stadium and Austin FC will host this year’s all-star game between MLS stars and Liga MX all-stars on Wednesday night.

The four awardees “exemplify innovation, resilience and service” in their local communities, MLS said in a press release. MLS said these organizations help “remove barriers to soccer participation, empower young people as future leaders, and sustain and protect green spaces.”

Here are the four Hometown Heroes in the Austin area:

• Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez, Austin Youth River Watch co-executive director | Austin Youth River Watch provides mentoring and environmental education for local kids
• LaKissa Bright, Ladders for Leaders founder and executive director | Ladders for Leaders helps high school students find education, training and internship opportunities ahead of high school graduation
• Gabriela Kane Guardia, Latinitas executive director | Latinitas “empowers girls and their communities through culturally relevant education,” the release said. The nonprofit helps girls grow as leaders and promotes STEAM education.
• Bill Wallace, Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation founder and executive director | Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation “seeks to divert children from systems and promote wellness and an upward trajectory in their lives,” the release said.

Ismael Guzmán with the East Austin Soccer Club was named an MLS “honorary hero” for his “commitment to youth soccer.” Guzman launched the club to provide affordable soccer to local kids, the release said.

They were each recognized at a private event Monday night at Antone’s in downtown Austin, MLS said.