FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (January 15, 2024) – – The New England Revolution are launching the club’s fourth annual “Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E.” initiative from February 26 to March 2 to celebrate New England’s Black History. Part of New England’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform dedicated to promoting social justice and equality, Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. has raised over $70,000 for the purchase of new soccer equipment and many hours of youth-oriented programming at multiple locations.
During Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E., 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 February 26 to March 2. The number of touches assigned to each day corresponds to a historical date, person, or figure of significance surrounding the Freedom Trail’s African-American Patriots Tour.
This year, the initiative aims to raise at least $20,000 to provide funding for 10-12 free soccer clinics at BCYF branches and new soccer equipment. During these clinics, participants will gather at BCYF locations to practice their soccer skills with guidance from Revolution Academy coaches. In addition, three BCYF locations will host an eight-week skills training program for 50 participants, and the BCYF Hennigan Center in Jamaica Plain will host coaching education sessions led by Revolution Academy coaches.
To date, Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. has hosted 20 soccer free clinics serving more than 500 youth participants at BCYF locations. The fundraising efforts have also helped provide new soccer nets at 13 BCYF community centers throughout Boston neighborhoods, in addition to other items including soccer balls, goalkeeper gloves, pop-up goals, drawstring bags, and drill cones for BCYF futsal leagues and tournaments. The program’s fundraising efforts also helped launch an 8-week skills program led by Revolution coaches at one BCYF location.
Donations of any amount are welcome and will be used in part to purchase the following soccer equipment:
- $10 donation provides a set of eight (8) drill cones
- $25 donation provides one (1) pair of goalkeeper gloves
- $35 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 and share their motivation for participating and for seeking change around issues of social injustice.
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, has donated over $20,000 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.
