As part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative, Artem Vale Foundation is teaming up with the Austin Hooper Foundation, renowned cleat artist Jonathan Hrusovsky, and foster youth aging out of care who are passionate about art and fashion to co-design the custom cleats Austin Hooper will wear during the Patriots vs. Giants game on December 1.

Credit: CBS News Boston, WBZ-TV Nick Giovanni

Unlaced: From the Field to Their Future isn’t just about cleats; it’s about visibility, voice, and validation. Through this experience, we are urging action and showing foster youth that their dreams matter, their talents are real, and their futures are worth fighting for.

"This isn’t just about My Cause, My Cleats—it’s about spotlighting a crisis that too often goes ignored. Every year, over 23,000 youth age out of foster care in the U.S., and within 18 months, more than half will experience homelessness or incarceration. Nearly 1 in 4 struggle with PTSD—higher than most combat veterans.

This is unacceptable. We need to see this population - truly see them. They deserve a future and hope. My foundation is dedicated to providing the necessary resources, strong mentorship, providing scholarships to fund healthy passions that build job skills, and partnering with organizations, such as Artem Vale Foundation, to provide critical mental health support." - Austin Hooper

Following the game, “Unlaced: From the Field to Their Future” launches as a virtual auction (November 29–December 6) powered by Group 1. The auction will feature exclusive signed memorabilia from professional athletes and unforgettable experiences from across the nation.

Each bid strengthens resilience, tackles mental health stigma, and equips foster youth to overcome, thrive, and lead with strength, proving that every cleat, every cause, and every bid can change a life.

Not bidding but still want to make an impact? You can!

Together with Austin Hooper, we’re ensuring that foster youth transitioning out of care don’t face the holidays alone.

Your donation brings joy, warmth, and connection to this year’s Holiday Party for Foster Youth, complete with gifts, bingo, music, sensory tool kits, and moments that remind every young person they are seen, supported, and never forgotten.

Every dollar donated helps create holiday memories that last long after the season ends.

My Cause, My Cleats Virtual Auction

Every Step Tells A Story. Every Bid Fuels A Future