Voting is now open on the NWSL’s Nationwide Community Impact Award for 2023, and Racing Louisville’s Jaelin Howell is among the contenders.
To vote for Jaelin, please visit NWSLSoccer.com/FanVote.
Jaelin’s work with the Down Syndrome of Louisville was already something in the making before she was nominated for the Nationwide Community Impact Award. The Racing captain has a close family friend with Down syndrome, and she decided she’d like to begin a partnership with Down Syndrome of Louisville this year.
DSL is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide “a resource for local families touched by Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis to legacy.” As the only Gold Accredited Down Syndrome Association in the country, Down Syndrome of Louisville’s goal is to “celebrate life by supporting, educating and advocating to ensure each member is empowered to reach their full potential.”
Jaelin and DSL have teamed up in a number of ways, from hosting the first-ever BFF Dance this summer to the Rock Your Socks soccer clinic with Jaelin and her Racing teammates coaching up DSL members in September. DSL also helped put on Kindness Warrior training for Racing players, and the team has rallied around Jaelin’s efforts to support DSL through the course of the year.
New this year to the Nationwide Community Impact Award, fans may cast their vote for their favorite team/ambassador/community partnership via NWSLSoccer.com/FanVote. Fans may vote once daily. When the results are in:
- The winning community partner will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide
- The winning club will also receive a matching $10,000 prize
- The fan vote winner accounts for approximately 20% of the overall grand prize voting
The winner of the 2023 Nationwide Community Impact Award will be announced during NWSL Championship weekend. Visit NWSL.com/FanVote for the complete list of player ambassadors and community partners.
- Of the 12 club community partnerships, one will be named the winner of the Nationwide Community Impact Award
- The winning community partner will be determined by vote from a panel of judges (including representation from the NWSL, Nationwide, NWSLPA and Media Association) and the fan vote.
- The grand prize winner – announced during NWSL Championship weekend – will be awarded an additional $25,000 donation from Nationwide going to the local community partner.
- Also new this year, Nationwide will also be awarding a $5,000 prize to the winning club ambassador!
