Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Refugee Resettlement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Refugee women’s soccer team HoustonShine FC honored by Harris County
Summary
Harris County recognized HoustonShine FC, a team of Afghan refugee women, for resilience and community contributions; manager Sarah Labowitz and captain Ravi Yacobey described the team’s origin and community support.
The Harris County Commissioners Court on March 31 recognized HoustonShine FC, a soccer club formed by Afghan women refugees who resettled in Houston after evacuation from Afghanistan.
Sarah Labowitz (S6), manager of HoustonShine FC, said the team includes players who were targeted for playing soccer in Afghanistan and who were evacuated in 2021; she thanked county leaders and volunteers for support. "Women and girls should be a central part of the World Cup legacy in Houston," Labowitz said as she urged broader support for access to play.
Ravi Yacobey (S5), introduced by Labowitz as the team captain, told the court that Houston offered a second chance to play and reconnect with the sport. Britney Lovett (S17), women’s commissioner for the Houston Women’s Soccer Association, described league support and fundraising to cover registration and uniforms and invited interested players to join open plays.
Commissioners praised the team’s resilience and community partnerships; shirts were presented to members and the court asked the team to stand for recognition.
The recognition was included in the resolutions block; no separate vote beyond adoption of the resolutions packet was recorded.
