Ali and I met in our “office” in the Schaghticoke, N.Y. Stewart’s Convenience Shop, we met to discuss the needs of some of the kids on the team.

A couple of players need more help to get to summer camp, and Ali needs some help with our new gas guzzling van.

I’ll write about this later, but we have now paid the electric bill for the Iraqi couple I wrote about last week, they were about to have their power cut off. It cost $900. Their lights will stay on.

But the big news is the Albany Warriors refugee soccer team, which plays it’s first game of the new season tomorrow. Ali talks about the importance of the team, how much it has meant to the players and their families.

Many of the players families are new to America and are struggling to acclimate. They are grateful to Ali for taking their sons (and two daughters) under his wing.

Ali and I have made extensive plans for the team during the idle remaining days of summer – possible trips to New York City or Boston,  two visits to the Powell House Youth Center and Retreat, a day at the Great Escape Adventure Park, a day swimming and playing video games on Lake George, a trip to an aquarium, two overnight or weekend stays at  camp in the lower Adirondacks.

We’ve sandwiched a couple of movies in there also,  and given these kids an American summer. It isn’t over yet.

The team is also working with the Albany School district to mentor new children arriving with refugee families. This is not about sports but family, community and character. All of the members of the team are  honor students, an amazing achievement for them and for Ali given that most of them had severe English language problems.

I am very proud to be the official sponsor of the Albany Warriors, it just means I help them with uniforms and equipment and any personal problems that require some support. I also buy pizza to celebrate big victories.

Ali explains it beautifully in this video.

The Army of Good is the true sponsor of this  team, and Ali thanks you and I thank you. This is very important to me this year, and I will be writing about these children and their lives. If you can and wish to help, you can do so by sending a contribution to Jon Katz/ c/o. P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Please mark the check “Albany Warrior” or “refugees.” Thanks.