FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – As part of the New England Revolution’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform dedicated to promoting social justice and equality, the club has launched the Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. initiative to provide new soccer equipment to underserved Boston youth, while also educating participants on key moments and leaders in Black New England history. The week-long fundraising campaign will run from Feb. 22 through Feb. 27, followed by a series of soccer clinics to be held in collaboration with Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF).
Throughout Black History Month this February, the Revolution invite local youth soccer organizations and all members of the community to click here to register and donate as individuals or teams and pledge to record touches with a soccer ball each day from Feb. 22-27. The targeted number of touches ascribed to each day corresponds to a historical date or person of significance in New England’s long history of Black rights and social justice advocacy.
All funds raised through Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. will be used to purchase new soccer equipment including portable pop-up goals, soccer balls and drawstring bags, drill cones, and goalkeeper gloves, among other items. These items will be distributed to the Boston Centers for Youth & Families and Boston-area families at upcoming C.H.A.N.G.E soccer clinics held at BCYF locations. These youth soccer clinics will be scheduled at a later date once deemed safe by state and local health authorities.
While donations of all amounts are welcome, here is an example of how contributions will be utilized:
- $1 donation provides a set of three (3) drill cones
- $16 donation provides one (1) pair of goalkeeper gloves
- $25 donation provides a soccer ball and drawstring bag
- $150 donation provides a 4’ x 6’ Kwik Flex pop-up goal
“Touches for C.H.AN.G.E. is one of the vital new programs the Revolution are excited to launch in 2021 as we continue developing new ways to make an impact in our community,” Revolution President Brian Bilello said. “By helping provide greater access to high-quality soccer equipment and working with the Boston Centers for Youth & Families to organize clinics in communities where we can have the greatest impact, we hope to bring the unifying and enriching power of sports into the lives of hundreds more children in our area.”
All fans are encouraged to join the conversation online by using the hashtag #TouchesForChange. To share their motivation for participating and for seeking change around issues of social injustice, a downloadable sign is available here.
ABOUT C.H.A.N.G.E.:
The New England Revolution are committed to promoting social justice and combating systemic racism. Founded in 2020 in response to numerous examples of racial violence including the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, C.H.A.N.G.E. stands for Converse, Help, Amplify, Nurture, Galvanize, and Educate. Learn more about the Revolution’s C.H.A.N.G.E. programs by visiting revolutionsoccer.net/change.
ABOUT BOSTON CENTERS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES:
Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston’s largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 36 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees citywide programs including the nationally-recognized violence intervention and prevention SOAR Program (formerly Streetworker Program), the GIRLS Initiative, Camp Joy special needs program, and many aquatic offerings.
