FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution are launching the club’s second annual “Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E.” program this Black History Month from Feb. 21-26. Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. aims to educate fans on New England’s proud Black history and bring the ongoing issues of racial inequity and social justice to the forefront of the public consciousness, all while raising funds that will benefit the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF).
During Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. 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, each pledging to record touches with a soccer ball each day from Feb. 21-26. The targeted number of touches ascribed to each day corresponds to a historical date or person of significance in New England’s history of Black rights and social justice advocacy.
This marks the second year of Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. after the Revolution raised $30,000 for BCYF in the program’s first year. The club used those funds to hold free C.H.A.N.G.E. soccer clinics at BCYF community centers in East Boston, Dorchester, West Roxbury, and Mattapan last November, with more yet to come. During these clinics, participants gathered at BYCF locations to practice their soccer skills and left with brand-new soccer equipment including drill cones, goalkeeper gloves, balls, and pop-up goals.
“We are thrilled to launch the second annual Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E program after the first edition last year saw incredible support from our fans and the entire local soccer community last year,” Revolution President Brian Bilello said. “The $30,000 raised in 2021 helped provide valuable resources and safe community programming that benefited for hundreds of Boston-area families. We are excited to once again partner with Boston Centers for Youth & Families to make an even bigger impact in 2022.”
All funds raised through Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. will once again be allocated for the funding of soccer clinics at BCYF locations in Boston’s most underserved communities, as well as the purchase of soccer equipment. Details for these C.H.A.N.G.E soccer clinics including dates, locations, and registration information will be available soon.
Donations of any amount are welcome and will be used in part to purchase the following soccer equipment:
- $5 donation provides a set of eight (8) drill cones
- $15 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
All fans are encouraged to join the conversation online by posting #TouchesForChange on social media. 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 through the club’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform, which encompasses a wide range of fundraising and education initiatives. C.H.A.N.G.E. stands for Converse, Help, Amplify, Nurture, Galvanize, and Educate. Through the C.H.A.N.G.E platform, the club also founded the New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund in 2021, which donates $20,000 on a bimonthly basis to local organizations leading the charge for social justice and socioeconomic equality. Learn more about the Revolution’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform by visiting revolutionsoccer.net/change.
ABOUT BOSTON CENTERS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
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.
