More Than A Smile Foundation

06/04/2026

We’re raising funds to help send 6 youth ambassadors & 2 chaperones to the United Nations in New York City this July! 🇺🇳

These young leaders will attend the UN Youth Office event focused on youth mental health, sports, leadership, and global impact.

For all of the youth, this will be their first time visiting NYC and stepping inside the United Nations Headquarters.

Help us invest in the next generation of leaders. Every donation makes a difference.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-send-6-youth-ambassadors-and-2-chaperones-to-the-united-nations-in-new-york

06/01/2026

More Than a Smile Foundation is proud to host a Day of Compassion community support event focused on helping families prepare for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year.

When: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: 2750 S 7th St, Louisville, KY 40215

Families will receive:
- Help registering for JCPS transportation
- Assistance completing forms
- Language and interpretation support
- Step-by-step guidance from trained youth volunteers
- Important school transportation updates

As part of the citywide Day of Compassion with Muhammad Ali Center in partnership with Metro United Way and inspired by the legacy of Muhammad Ali, we are committed to serving families through compassion, empowerment, and community support.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad Ali

05/03/2026

10 YEARS. 1 COMMUNITY. THOUSANDS OF LIVES IMPACTED.

For 9 years, our community has come together without funding, without resources, but with love, sacrifice, and belief to create something powerful.

For many of the youth we serve, life is not easy. They carry stories of displacement, struggle, and barriers most will never see. But when they step onto that field, something changes.

They smile.
They lead.
They remember they matter.

This year, we’re building something even bigger. July 10th 2026 - July 12th 2026
A 10-year celebration.
40+ teams.
2,000+ people.
And for the first time 🤯 our girls will take the field.

But we cannot do this alone.

We are raising funds to ensure no child is left on the sidelines because of cost.

No child should have to choose between showing up and being left out.

How You Can Change a Life

$50 sponsors a youth
$100 supports multiple youth
$750 sponsors a full team
$2,500 feeds hundreds of kids
$3,000 builds unity through team shirts
$1,500 keeps our youth safe and hydrated

Or give monthly, quarterly, or yearly because this work doesn’t stop after one day.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/annual-international-cup

04/17/2026

Congratulations to two of our incredible youth leaders from Youth voice influencers organization, Halima Abdullahi and Saidali Ibrahim, on being selected to attend Youth SDGs Week in Nairobi 🇰🇪.

This is what it means to invest in young people. When youth are given the opportunity to step into global conversations, they begin to understand the power and importance of their voice.

We are proud to stand behind leaders who are not waiting for change but becoming it.

04/09/2026

From local community spaces to the global stage 🌍

More Than A Smile Foundation is honored to be represented at the United Nations in Geneva this month.

Our Founder, Amina Shale, will present how our Fun & Play Program is using sports, healing, and youth leadership to address mental health, build belonging, and strengthen communities.

This work is rooted in lived experience and powered by the young people we serve every day.

Because when youth are given the tools, they don’t just participate… They lead transformation.

We don’t do this work alone ❤️

We want to take a moment to thank our incredible partners Louisville development club , Somali Bantu Community in Kentucky Youth voice influencers organization, Somali Advocacy for Justice and Equality Movement - SAJEM and Mohamed Musa with Mustaqbal Inc.

Because of you, we’ve been able to grow, reach more families, and now take our work all the way to the United Nations.

https://regionalforum.unece.org/events/fun-play-youth-led-community-wellness-and-inclusion-immigrant-and-refugee-communities

04/01/2026

We are so excited to share that our Executive Director, Amina Shale, has been named a 2026 Echoing Green Fellowship Finalist.

Out of over 4,100 applicants from 139 countries, she has been selected as one of 40 global innovators featured in the Social Impact Talent Report; leaders driving bold solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

This recognition reflects not only her leadership, but the power of community-led work rooted in lived experience.

From building More Than a Smile Foundation from the ground up to amplifying the voices of immigrant and refugee youth, Amina’s journey has always been about creating access, opportunity, and belonging—both locally and globally.

We are honored to see her and our community; represented on this global stage.

This is a reminder that our stories, our work, and our communities matter.

Read the full Social Impact Talent Report:
https://bit.ly/Talent-Report

Echoing Green’s Social Impact Talent Report highlights best-in-class social change leaders with bold ideas for solving the world’s most pressing challenges.

03/29/2026

Whether your child has never touched a ball or already loves the game ; there’s a place for them here.

Come as you are and bring a friend!

Join us with Louisville development club !

03/29/2026

Today was truly special, and we are so grateful for everyone who made it possible. 💜

Thank you to Metro United Way for providing hygiene kits and snacks that helped bring this event to life. Your continued support makes a real difference for the families we serve.

Thank you to For Lady's Sake for being our feminine hygiene partner this month. Your commitment ensures our girls and women feel supported, confident, and cared for.

We also appreciate Louisville development club (LDC) for your incredible help with setup and cleanup. Your dedication behind the scenes does not go unnoticed.

A special thank you to all of our amazing volunteers your time, energy, and love made today truly memorable for our community.

We were also excited to have Kennedy, Manager of Developmental Screening, join us for our Ages & Stages Initiative in partnership with Metro United Way. Our kiddos were beyond excited to receive new books; it was such a meaningful moment!

This is what community looks like. Thank you all for being part of it. ✨

03/25/2026

Youth of the Month – March | Beyond the Smile

Last fall, Halima asked us a question: “How can I join your programs if I don’t play soccer?”

At More Than a Smile, there’s a place for everyone and Halima is living proof of that.

If you know Halima, then you know she’s driven, compassionate, and always ready to step up. Since that moment, she has continued to show what leadership looks like in action. From speaking at our International Day of the Girl – Pink Print Conference to volunteering during our monthly community engagement events, Halima consistently shows up with purpose and a smile.

We are proud to recognize her commitment, growth, and the positive energy she brings to our community.

Congratulations, Halima !

03/18/2026

Last week, we hosted our bimonthly Women’s Empowerment Session, and it was truly a beautiful reminder of the power of sisterhood 🤍

This month, we focused on building deeper connections laughing, learning, and uplifting one another. From friendly rounds of trivia to intense UNO games, the room was filled with energy and meaningful conversations.

We closed the evening by sharing a delicious iftaar together, creating a space of warmth, reflection, and community.

Moments like these remind us why we do this work of creating safe, empowering spaces where women and girls can come together, be seen, and grow.