Women Behind the Scenes in Sacramento: dr lisa cardoza
It’s not only the FIFA Women’s World Cup that is putting women on the international football stage this summer, at the Homeless World Cup there are many women in Sacramento making the 18th edition of the Homeless World Cup possible. In this series we meet some of these inspiring women.
Dr Lisa Cardoza is the Vice President for University Advancement at California State University, Sacramento and Executive Officer for The University Foundation at Sacramento State
As one of the driving forces behind the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup, Dr Lisa Cardoza – Vice President for University Advancement at California State University, Sacramento and Executive Officer for The University Foundation at Sacramento State – has stellar fundraising, strategic and governance credentials. She also knows, only too well, the importance of support, encouragement, belief and a positive attitude when the odds are not in your favour.
“I grew up in a small rural town in Texas and found myself pregnant at 16,” she relates. “Even though I was on the path to higher education – I was high school valedictorian, had a place at a prestigious university – that stopped me in my tracks.”
Lisa assumed her life would proceed on a different trajectory but, fortunately, had people in her corner who were set on keeping her focused and helping her achieve all her aims.
“Even though I was having a baby, I still wanted to go to Stanford – some people probably thought that was crazy – but instead of discouraging me were very much ‘how can we make this happen?’.
“One such person was my teacher who suggested I ask university to defer enrolment for a year. I had no idea that was a possibility but I called them and they were very accommodating – so many people showed up and helped along the way that year.”
That year involved getting married, giving birth to her son, Gabriel, and moving her new little family from Texas to California as she began her studies.
She recalls: “I was a new mom, new wife and new college student – any one of those things are key turning points in life individually, never mind altogether. It was tough but with support – and from places I never expected - we got through.
“The Dean of the graduate housing where we were living encouraged us to create a student association for what were ‘non-traditional’ students – three of us had children, two were single mums, one was a married couple – and Stanford helped us with start-up funds to support each other. During exams, for example, we’d hire babysitters, order dinner and study in community.”
This positive focus, a ‘you can do this, no matter how hard it is’ attitude, drew Lisa immediately to the ethos of the Homeless World Cup when her path crossed those of Sacramento State alumnae Lisa Wrightsman and Tiffany Fraser (founders of Street Soccer Sacramento) and their incredible Homeless World Cup stories.
“My first reaction was wow, this is so transformational for so many lives and to see it live out through Lisa and Tiffany, to witness how they’re giving back through the impact and power of making people feel they belong, made me immediately want to support the work they’re doing in the community.
“I wondered how could we turn their ideas – they were brimming with thoughts and plans – into something tangible. We began by sponsoring their activities at the (soccer) park where they had young female refugees playing. As I watched, I was struck by how much soccer is a universal language – it was playing out right in front of me.
“Growing up as a Latina, being in spaces where I’ve been made to feel different; as a teen mom, being judged by how I looked rather than who I really was...I’ve lived my life trying to break down these attitudes.
“I’m an ‘includer’, I want everyone to feel like they belong and have a sense of community. That’s what’s given me the drive to do what I do. In a space like higher education, where a lot of lower income students don’t feel they belong, I wanted them to know that if they needed anything I’d be there to help.
“I saw these same values being lived out by this organisation and knew we had to get involved.”
Then, one Sunday, Tiffany asked Lisa to join them as they had an idea they wanted to brainstorm. If Sacramento was able to bring Homeless World Cup to the city, what would it look like? Who would need to be involved? How would it play out?
“We knew we didn’t have a lot of time but thought it was too incredible an opportunity to pass up,” Lisa enthuses. “The first name on the whiteboard was President Robert Nelsen (Sacramento State) – I've been his Chief of Staff, worked with him for a total of 13 years and he enthusiastically said yes.
“We hadn’t made our plans public when Lisa (Wrightsman) was given a distinguished alumni award by Sac State and used her acceptance speech to underline how Homeless World Cup changed her life, so perfectly setting the stage for our hosting announcement. Then we gathered a bunch of people with a can-do attitude – mostly women! - and here we are!”
As Lisa continues, Sacramento has a huge homeless situation and a lot of money has been invested in trying to find solutions. Her way to approach the issue is, “Maybe if we could do things differently, what could that look like and who do we need in our corner? At Sac State we’ve done so much to live out our value of being an anchor institution, going out into the community, doing research, having conversations and hosting the tournament was another way to live this out.”
Of course, there have been many bumps along the organisational road, with several ‘T-junction’ signs provided by the challenge of both President Robert and Vice President Lisa moving on from Sac State this summer – the former into retirement and Lisa becoming President of American River College. Both were adamant, however, that their July 1 finishing dates would be extended to see the culmination of a tournament which has become so special to them both.
“Everywhere President Nelsen goes he talks about Homeless World Cup,” she explains. “Over 300 locals have signed up to volunteer and that’s given me so much hope. If we can get the Sacramento community to think differently about the unhoused, I think we can do incredible things.
“I was enthralled to see how sport and soccer is used to support individuals, make them feel included, teach them lessons about life, and help tell their story. We talk about hope and healing and that’s what our symposium – which happens halfway through the tournament – is built around.
“As a higher education institution, we thought it was an ideal opportunity to hold a learning event. Mel Young, (HWC founder) had long been thinking about staging a symposium within a tournament so it all fit into place. We have some fascinating speakers lined up, sharing this global issue and hearing from individuals whose lives have been changed.”
And as for Lisa, how does she envisage her life will be changed once the final whistle is blown at the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup and the cheers recede into the night sky on 15 July at Hornet Stadium?
“It already has changed me!” she laughs. “I can hardly remember what life was like before I met Lisa and Tiffany – so much has happened! I like to think this is going to keep me motivated, give me the push to do things differently.
“I’m in a leadership programme for Latino community leaders called Nuevo Epoca – New Era – and we’ve been challenging ourselves to think differently, how we’re training the next generation of leaders. My hope is we focus differently on solutions – it's not just housing and mental health services which are needed to tackle homelessness, it’s a holistic approach with all agencies working together.”
Lisa’s gaze becomes a little wistful as we revisit her own high school days and the inspiration of a hard-working mother and father and five supportive sisters.
“I was a cheerleader in high school (not a great athlete),” she adds, “and I will still go out there and cheer on my students, these players, our community members. I will show up and cheer you on, help find resources and support you with renewed vigour thanks to the incredible inspiration of Homeless World Cup.”
Find out more about Street Soccer USA and their work in Sacramento and across the United States.
Words: Isobel Irvine