UNIQLO, the Japanese apparel retailer known for its minimalist designs, has teamed up with nonprofit Street Soccer USA to launch a permanent community hub in Altadena, California.
A New Space for Play and Learning
The UNIQLO Street Soccer Park & Learning Center opened its gates on July 9, featuring two turf soccer fields, a prefabricated shipping container converted into a classroom, and open‑air space for year‑round recreation.
Designed to serve families displaced by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the facility offers free soccer‑based programming, homework assistance, mentorship, and workshops on financial and digital literacy.
Organizers estimate that the center will reach roughly 1,000 young people during its first year, providing a safe gathering place amid the ongoing recovery efforts.
This project marks Street Soccer USA’s third free‑to‑play hub in the Los Angeles area, extending a network that began in 2013 when UNIQLO first partnered with the organization.
Adachi Fuminori, CEO of UNIQLO USA, said the center embodies the company’s hope to bring “comfort, connection, and renewed opportunity” to the Altadena community.
Lawrence Cann, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer USA, added that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating pathways for youth through sport and education.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish collaborated on the site selection, choosing a location near the burn zone and central to the neighborhood’s needs.
Beyond this park, UNIQLO has pledged $2 million to support wildfire‑affected communities, funding reforestation, educational initiatives and further youth programs across the region.
The grand opening featured a ribbon‑cutting ceremony, a community festival and friendly matches that drew local families, volunteers and city officials.
With this launch, UNIQLO continues its broader strategy of using sport and education as tools for long‑term recovery, echoing its 26 for 2026 campaign to build 26 Street Soccer Parks nationwide.