October 18, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New England Revolution News Release
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund has donated $10,000 each to Dress for Success Providence and Bottom Line Boston as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots organizations leading the fight for equity and working to dismantle systemic racism. This marks the Revolution Players Collaborative Fund’s second bimonthly grant, funded by the Kraft family, after the coalition of Revolution players provided an initial donation of $20,000 to Black Players for Change in July, which is partly dedicated towards the construction of dozens of mini pitches nationwide.
The Revolution Players Collaborative Fund is a pillar of the club’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform, which seeks to support and uplift organizations and community leaders who are working to combat inequity and racial injustice. The committee of Revolution players is primarily comprised of members of Black Players for Change (BPC), an independent organization consisting of more than 170 players, coaches, and staff from across Major League Soccer working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in soccer and society.
“Black Players for Change recognizes the importance of equitable access to higher education and professional resources, especially among communities and women of color, as a significant step towards closing the wealth and power gap that exists in our society,” said Revolution goalkeeper and Black Players for Change Co-Founder Earl Edwards Jr. “As we look to uplift the groups and leaders making a direct impact in the New England community, we are proud to work with two outstanding organizations in Bottom Line Boston and Dress for Success Providence to aid their important work in these areas.”
Bottom Line, also established in 1997, is a non-profit organization that aims to address the low college graduation rates of, and lack of economic mobility for first-generation students from low-income backgrounds. The organization’s Boston chapter is currently helping over 2,700 students get into college, gradate, or go far in life. With offices located in Boston’s Dorchester and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods, students receive one-on-one college advising and support. The organization began as a small nonprofit to help 25 Boston high school seniors and has since expanded to serve over 7,000 students in Boston, Worcester, New York City, and Chicago. More information on Bottom Line Boston can be found here.
“Over the next five years, we are committing to doubling the number of young men of color we are serving through our programs,” added Bottom Line Executive Director Ginette Saimprevil. “We are excited to be a part of this initiative and partner with the New England Revolution to create systemic change and positively impact individuals, families, and communities through access to a college degree and mobilizing first career.”
Established in 1997, Dress for Success is a global non-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success has helped more than 1.2 million women work towards self-sufficiency, while aspiring toward a world that fully harnesses the power of women and recognizes their role in economic sustainability. The organization’s Providence affiliate was launched in 2018, joining almost 150 affiliates in 25 countries. More information on Dress for Success Providence can be found here.
To read more about the Revolution’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform, visit revolutionsoccer.net/change.
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