Jaelin Howell, Racing Louisville bring community together to help people with Down syndrome

When she was 16, Jaelin Howell's life changed forever.

Her brother, Jack, brought Mike Waters to the Howells' home after they met at a football camp for people with Down syndrome.

"Mike has helped me grow as a person in so many ways," said Howell, now 23, who recently completed her second season playing midfielder for Racing Louisville FC. "He has shown me a kindness in him that is hard to find in people, treating others with respect and care, always seeing things in a positive light."

Since their first interaction, Waters has been an honorary member of the Howell family.

"He has been a light in my family's lives," said Howell, who moved to Louisville after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft. "We kind of brought him into our family. And he goes with us to all places, comes over to our house, spends the night, and we take him out to eat."

Inspired by Waters, Howell sought to make a difference with a Louisville community organization.

She sought a venture that would bring the community and Racing together through love and kindness — on and off the pitch.

"After (Howell) moved here to Louisville from Colorado, she reached out to us on Instagram," said Carly Riggs, engagement director at Down Syndrome of Louisville.

Howell's relationship with Waters is why she contacted DSL. She wanted to build that connection between her, the team and community organizations working with people with Down syndrome.

"It's really been incredible. I mean, Racing has jumped in headfirst, like with all kinds of really cool stuff. Jaelin has been to our facility several times to volunteer. And she's brought some of the players just to visit with our members and play soccer, just at our facility," Riggs said.

Howell and her Racing teammates and staff participated in what DSL calls "Kindness Warrior Training" at the beginning of the year. This course needed to be completed before they could work with individuals with Down syndrome.

The training consists of learning people-first language, inclusion, and how to advocate/support those with Down syndrome.

"I always say, as much as we're helping them, they help us more than they know," Howell said. "People with Down syndrome are such a light in this world. It's very humbling just how joyful they are and the joy they bring to our lives. I think it's something we've all recognized."

One event Racing has participated in was the BFF Dance, a social event for anyone with an intellectual disability.

Also, an individual with Down syndrome was named an honorary captain for each Racing home game. After the game, they went on the field and met the players.

Racing hosted a Down Syndrome Awareness Night at Lynn Family Stadium. DSL's dance team, the Boogie Down Crew, performed at the game.

One of the largest events this year was the Rock Your Socks soccer clinic in September at Racing's Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center.

Down Syndrome of Louisville members received soccer tips from the Racing players.

"As professional athletes, we're super blessed and privileged to be able to do what we do," Howell said. "Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of that. But I think it's a responsibility to help those in need and give back."

Down Syndrome of Louisville provides support, advocacy and education to people with the condition. DSL has infant and early education classes, and Riggs said they are the only lifelong learning center in the world that provides services to their members throughout their lives.

They serve more than 1,300 people with Down syndrome throughout 24 Kentucky and Southern Illinois counties.

Once a student graduates high school, DSL offers many services, including The Academy, an adult day program that includes life-skill classes and social activities. The organization also provides a career solutions program in which it helps those with Down syndrome find jobs throughout the community.

"I just really want to commend Racing Louisville and encourage other organizations ... (to) reach out to a nonprofit in the community and make a true and real partnership," Riggs said. "We truly feel like we're besties with Racing, and it's been the most fun and the most rewarding partnership."

Howell is Racing Louisville's ambassador for the NWSL's Nationwide Community Impact Award.

Each team in the league picks one community organization to partner with or service project they work on throughout the season.

The award's winner is announced at the end of the season, and their community partner is awarded a $25,000 donation from Nationwide.

Howell said she hopes their partnership with Down Syndrome of Louisville continues to grow, and they can get more community members involved and bring more resources to people with Down syndrome next season.

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Racing Louisville, Jaelin Howell work with Down Syndrome of Louisville