A Visit From Spokane Velocity FC
Little Moments Lead To Big Change
Creating a culture of inclusion begins with small actions from individuals making intentional choices to show up for their neighbors and ensure everyone, especially those in marginalized groups, are welcomed, seen, and treated as a valued member of the community.
By working to be more accepting and empathetic than we were the day before, we can turn small moments into something that shapes how we treat one another and what we expect from our community. Over time, these simple choices start to add up. What begins as a handful of individual actions becomes a shared effort that eventually influences the culture around us. When people change how they show up, groups tend to follow, and those choices begin to feel natural instead of intentional.
That kind of everyday momentum was easy to see when USL Spokane’s Velocity FC visited The Arc of Spokane’s Community Center. What began as a regular afternoon quickly became a reminder of how meaningful these small interactions can be.
After The Arc’s staff introduced Community Center members to the athletes, the fun began. Cameron Miller joined a game of Uno, Bryce Meredith worked on a drawing with a small group, and Derek Waldeck spent time chatting with members at a nearby table. Shavon Rakeem John-Brown sat down with a member working on math problems, using colored pencils to visualize each step. When the member needed extra time, he offered steady encouragement until the problem made sense.
These young men showed genuine interest in engaging with Community Center members. They addressed them as peers and made them feel seen, appreciated, and validated. And they went above and beyond when it was time to head outside to enjoy some sunshine.
Velocity athletes showed members how to dribble a ball around cones, juggle a ball in place, and aim a ball so it hits a cone when kicked. Everyone got a turn; Miller, Meredith, and Waldeck offered steady coaching that helped build members’ confidence, and many were soon maneuvering the balls on their own. John-Brown made sure everyone, regardless of ability, was included by taking time to play basketball with one member who uses a wheelchair. That simple moment of connection made a clear, memorable impact, as shown in the member’s wide grin.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often excluded from society due to social stigmas, barriers to care and opportunities, systemic ableism, and lack of accessible infrastructure. Unfortunately, shifting our culture to be more inclusive won’t happen overnight. That change happens when we allow empathy to guide our actions and choose to include people in everyday moments. And those moments matter, because at the end of the day, people with IDD want what we all want: connection, respect, and opportunities to participate fully in community life. By authentically engaging with our Community Center members, Velocity FC athletes demonstrated how easy it can be to make people feel welcome and valued. It can be as simple as playing a game of cards, tossing a ball around, or just listening to people talk.
The Arc of Spokane has partnered with USL Spokane as part of the Aequus Collective, a nonprofit collaboration. Join The Arc and USL Spokane for a Zephyr FC match vs DC Power FC on March 21 at 2 p.m.
Purchase your discounted tickets here; a portion of the proceeds will support The Arc of Spokane’s programs and services.
