FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund has announced the New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT) and Emerging Adult Court of Hope (EACH) as the two newest recipients of its bimonthly donation of $20,000 benefiting grassroots organizations leading the fight against social inequity and system racial injustice.
This marks the Revolution Players Collaborative Fund’s fourth bimonthly gift, funded by the Kraft family. Each recipient is selected by a coalition of Revolution players including several members of Black Players for Change, an independent organization consisting of over 170 Black players, coaches, and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. NECAT and EACH join other recent beneficiaries Dress for Success Providence, Bottom Line Boston, Inner City Weightlifting, and the Center for Health & Justice Transformation.
“Black Players for Change is proud to recognize the important career training programs these two organizations offer. Providing these individuals with second chances not only empowers their participants to better themselves, but will better their communities as a result,” said Revolution goalkeeper and Black Players for Change President and Co-Founder Earl Edwards Jr. “We will continue to align with and uplift organizations like NECAT and EACH and are happy that these donations will further their missions and continue to create financial stability and continuous success for those that need it most.”
Established in 2013, New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT) aims to empower adults in Greater Boston that are facing employment barriers through culinary training, social-emotional development, and career-readiness to offer them success and long-term financial stability. Their guiding principles include community, opportunity, transformation, respect, and joy. NECAT has made creating equal opportunity for personal growth and achievement a major part of their organizational vision and designed their training model for those who have been underrepresented and marginalized.
“NECAT is honored to be selected by the New England Revolution for this award. Our culinary training is more than teaching adults to cook; we underscore the values of teamwork and accountability as we help our participants attain their personal goals,” said NECAT Executive Director Joey Cuzzi. “NECAT looks forward to developing a partnership with the team, as there is a great synergy between success on the field and success in life."
The Emerging Adult Court of Hope (EACH) began in February 2020 and was created by Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. EACH’s mission is to change the trajectory of the lives of young people from 18 to 24 years old who are court involved and facing serious felonies. To do this, a team of experienced court and non-profit professionals support these young people in addressing the underlying issues contributing to their life circumstance. This may include addressing such issues as: behavioral, and mental health, substance-use disorders, housing instability, and food insecurity. While simultaneously providing a path forward through education, career training, and job placement.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni stated, “Thank you New England Revolution and Kraft Family! This sizable and generous donation to support EACH and our young people will greatly boost our continued mission in turning lives around in positive and meaningful ways. Whether it’s through providing transportation to jobs, career training, educational opportunities, addressing housing needs, or making sure they are not worried about feeding themselves. This donation will allow us to keep supporting our program participants, as they continue to work hard in changing their lives for the better.”
ABOUT BLACK PLAYERS FOR CHANGE:
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization consisting of over 170+ Black players, coaches and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals the organization strives to advance the attention on human rights inequalities from protest to programs, partnerships and policies that address systemic discrimination. For more information visit www.BlackPlayersForChange.org or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. #TogetherThereWillBeChange.
