By Darryl Harding Sr.
On Monday January 15th the New England Revolution held their fourth annual Touch for C.H.A.N.G.E. charity event to benefit the Boston Centers for Youth and Families {BCYF}. The New England Revolution, over their four year stint, have raised over $70,000 for the BCYF.
Not only do they hold coaching and soccer seminars but use funding to buy new equipment for the BCYF local youth. This year an attempt to raise $20,000 to hold free soccer clinics, facilitated by revolutionary Academy coaches, Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. (Converse, Help, Amplify, Nurture, Galvanize and Educate) has served over 500 youth in the area.
13 of the locations serving the BCYF received new equipment, including nets, soccer balls, pop-up goals and goalkeeping gloves, as well as cones and other practice equipment. The revolution and Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. invites donations and registrations.
Individuals and teams registered, record a number of soccer ball “touches” corresponding with significant historic people and dates, in reference to the Freedom Trails African-American Patriots Tour, between February 26th and March 2nd .
There are also three BCYF locations that hold an 8-week training course for 50 participants to improve their soccer skills and the BCYF Hannigan Center, in Jamaica Plain, will also have a coach’s Clinic.
Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. have committed themselves to fighting for social justice and combating institutionalized racism. Please join the New England Revolution in contributing to the Touches for C.H.A.N.G.E. cause.