Playing soccer for a new home
A University of Illinois student is helping migrant families in her Chicago hometown by harnessing her academic interests and passion for public health. Hannah McGee, a junior pre-med student in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, has teamed up with her friend Sofia Castro, a junior studying Community Health, to co-found Amigos Unidos FC. The free, six-week soccer program is designed to bring some normalcy to the lives of migrant children, offering them a safe place to play and make friends.
Hannah, who is majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology, said Illinois has played a significant role in her academic and career growth thanks to mentors and programs like BEST Scholars and MCB Honors providing guidance on such a large campus.
“The staff here have always been supportive,” she said. “They’re there to answer any questions or just say, ‘It’s okay, go try it out.’ That encouragement has meant a lot to me.” Having always been interested in health and medicine, especially in molecular biology, Hannah said it was "a given" that she would choose MCB as her major.
Through Amigos Unidos FC, Hannah and Sofia aim to provide a positive outlet for migrant children who have experienced long and difficult journeys. Hannah says it was important to offer children an environment where they could engage in structured play, make friends, and simply enjoy being kids.
“It wasn't something that I could overlook,” she says. “I did research on what resources were available in Chicago for them, and I was happy about what my city had provided. But I also noticed there was a lack of resources, especially for kids. Resources such as youth programs and healthcare access.”
The program has been a huge learning experience for Hannah. With her experience in childcare, Hannah observed how the children’s difficult pasts have influenced their behavior, shaping them to display empathy for each other. “I worked at a daycare for three years, so I know how kids usually behave. But these kids are unique. You can see that they’ve been through a lot. They really treat each other like family,” she said. “They know how to take care of each other.”
Through her work as a medical assistant at the Lawndale Christian Health Center, which serves individuals in shelters across Chicago, Hannah has witnessed firsthand the vital role creating trust, especially in healthcare, plays in supporting this community.
“I told the mother of one of the kids from my program to let me know if they needed medical attention. Later, she came over and mentioned he had a minor but ongoing cough, so I got them in to see the doctor. Afterward, the provider told me his asthma was so severe that he would have been hospitalized in two weeks if he hadn't come in.”
Having played soccer as a child, this program has been full of meaningful and rewarding moments. She encouraged other students to seek out volunteer opportunities. “A lot of the volunteer opportunities I've done in Champaign have helped set me up for this opportunity. I would recommend that other students get involved with different RSOs or volunteer groups in the Champaign-Urbana area. Those organizations have great leaders that you can learn a lot from!”
Now a registered nonprofit, Amigos Unidos FC will be offering future programs to children, including a winter session during the Chicago Public Schools break.
