The Passage and Centrepoint announced on Tuesday, February 7, that Liverpool and Colombian footballer Luis Diaz will become an ambassador.

Luis spoke with folks we help find sustainable jobs to reduce homelessness at The Passage’s Resource Centre in Victoria.

Luis discussed how growing up in a small Colombian village with few possibilities for a better future drove him to fight homelessness and poverty in the UK during the visit.

He also discussed his family foundation, which provides practical and financial support to many Colombian projects and communities, and how he hopes to use his experience working with The Passage and Centrepoint to shape its future work.

Luis said: “Hope and opportunity are vital. I grew raised in a modest Colombian neighborhood, yet my close and loving family encouraged me to play professional football. When I joined Liverpool, I felt a close connection to the community, who welcomed me as one of their own. After seeing homelessness in Liverpool and the UK, I realized I had to help.

I’m grateful to have met The Passage and Centrepoint and learned about their homelessness solutions. This is important to me. I hope my work as Ambassador will raise awareness for both charities and provide UK residents the same optimism and chance I had as a young lad. I’m also delighted to learn from these amazing NGOs and help start similar work in Colombia and beyond.”

The Passage Chief Executive Mick Clarke said: “We are delighted to welcome Luis Diaz as an Ambassador for The Passage and Centrepoint. Our mission is to provide our clients with chances that many take for granted, such as job, training, and a home.

Football has given Luis many possibilities, and it’s heartwarming to see how much he wants to give back. I appreciate Luis’s dedication to solving homelessness as a social issue. I’d also like to thank NVA Sports and Entertainment Group for helping Luis become a charity ambassador.

Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin said: “Luis could not have picked a more important time to become an Ambassador and we are delighted to have him on board.

England is experiencing a crisis in youth homelessness, with thousands of youth homeless each week. Unfortunately, many of individuals experiencing this difficulty to obtain a house and a work are concealed from view and struggle to get support. Luis can change that with his talent and big visibility, and we can’t wait to work with him and The Passage to eradicate homelessness.”