AUSTIN, Texas — Every week on KVUE Daybreak, we feature children in Texas foster care with the hope of helping them find a permanent place to call home. This week, we introduce you to Devin, a young man who is navigating life’s challenges one pass at a time.
Finding purpose on the pitch
Fifteen-year-old Devin is a natural athlete. Whether he’s on the basketball court or guarding the net on a soccer field, this young man finds his rhythm through movement.
To sharpen his skills, Devin recently spent a morning at the Avila Soccer Training Facility on South Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin. Under the guidance of Eryck Avila, Devin worked on the fundamentals of being a keeper. For Avila, the lessons learned on the field extend far beyond the game itself.
“It teaches character,” Avila said. “These kids get to be older and they get into situations that are adversarial, and they know how to rationalize and get through it. It’s so important that kids are exposed to sports because it teaches them to be strong and resilient.”
Turning pain into play
As a high school freshman navigating the foster care system, Devin has faced more than his fair share of “adversarial” situations. However, he purposefully channels that history into his passion for sports…