Youth at Philadelphia’s Max Myers Playground want to create a safe place where they can play soccer. Your vote can help them secure part of $500,000 of funds from the global Cityzens Giving campaign.
16-year-old Braylin Jaquez first visited Max Myers Playground to swim in the pool. He joined The Untied Friends Soccer Club when it started at the playground in 2014. Braylin says that “soccer changed my life in many different ways. It kept me in good physical form. It kept me off the streets. It showed me discipline. It made me better as a person.” But until he found United Friends, “I had difficulties finding a safe space to play.”
Nonprofit group love.fútbol has created the “Safe Spaces” campaign to help 150 other youth like Braylin. This partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will:
- build a new soccer pitch at Myers.
- provide a soccer-based development program for 150 children.
Earlier this year, Parks & Rec teamed up with love.fútbol to build a soccer pitch at Donald P. Finnegan Recreation Center.
Braylin says that “This new field is going to bring more opportunities. It brings the neighborhood together… kids can come out and exercise and be part of the community.”Funds for the pitch will come from Cityzens Giving, sponsored by the English soccer club Manchester City. The campaign empowers fans to determine funding amounts for six youth-led community football projects. This year, City Football Group donated $500,000 to the cause. Philadelphia is competing against five other cities around the world for these funds.
The six projects will receive funding based upon the number of votes each one receives. The public can vote for one of the six projects now through December 24. “This field represents who we are and what we believe in,” concludes Braylin. I believe if all kids help each other, they’re gonna achieve their goals, they’re gonna achieve their dreams, and be what they want to be.”
