#United States #Bank of America #Tacoma #Street Child United ##IAmSomebody

Street Child United Launches the #IAmSomebody Tour

Street Child United (SCU), in collaboration with Bank of America, has kicked off an inspiring initiative aimed at amplifying the voices of street-connected youth. This extraordinary journey, heralded as the #IAmSomebody Tour, commenced in Tacoma, Washington, and will see stops across Miami, Toronto, New York, and Washington, D.C. The tour seeks to leverage the remarkable power of soccer to create awareness and advocate for change in the lives of millions of street-connected young people worldwide.

Empowering Young Leaders Through Soccer

The core objective of the #IAmSomebody Tour is to provide a platform for young leaders who participated in the recent Street Child World Cup held in Mexico City. This event, where teams of street-connected youth from around the globe came together, aimed to share their experiences while advocating for social change. SCU COO John Wroe highlights the necessity for ongoing work beyond the World Cup, aiming to further the demands of these young individuals throughout the tour.

With an estimated 150 million street-connected youth living in marginalized conditions globally, the tour aims to bring their stories and aspirations to those in power. By showcasing their resilience and advocacy through soccer, SCU hopes to challenge societal perceptions and urge decision-makers to implement positive changes.

A Collaborative Journey

Bank of America, a key sponsor partnered with SCU for this tour, recognizes the transformative potential of soccer. The bank has consistently supported initiatives encouraging access to sports, manifesting through its Sports with Us platform, which aims to create opportunities for youth engagement. As part of the tour, Bank of America has provided various resources, including coaching and support for young leaders at different stops.

The tour will incorporate community-driven events, including an Indigenous Youth Soccer Tournament recently held in Tacoma, spearheaded in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. This gathering encouraged participation from numerous Indigenous youth, celebrating culture and unity through sports. Participants had the chance to engage in coaching workshops aimed at holistic development beyond the soccer field, emphasizing community-building elements in their programming.

Upcoming Tour Highlights

Following the grand kickoff in Tacoma, the tour is set to roll into Miami, where SCU Young Leaders will engage in a roundtable discussion with soccer legend Sir David Beckham. The dialogue aims to further support the youth’s advocacy for their rights and pressing community issues.

From July 5 to 8, the tour reaches Toronto, presenting another crucial opportunity for SCU Young Leaders to voice their experiences during a town hall meeting while participating in a Street Soccer match with local teams. The journey will culminate in Washington, D.C., involving localized community soccer activations to foster connections and discussions about the challenges faced by street-connected youth.

The tour will reach its apex in mid-July with a significant event in New York, showcasing a community soccer activation at the Bank of America Fields in Manhattan. This rallying point will feature local talent coming together to support the youth’s mission.

Concluding at the United Nations

As the #IAmSomebody Tour draws to a close, SCU will take its message to the United Nations, presenting a Charter of Demands articulated by the youth during the Street Child World Cup. This document will include their collective aspirations for social change and recognition from government entities, reinforcing that every street-connected individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.

John Wroe expressed gratitude for Bank of America’s partnership, emphasizing how this collaboration enhances the legacy of the Street Child World Cup and continues the vital work needed for advocating and uplifting the most marginalized voices in society. The initiative hopes to turn visibility into commitment, inviting the world to declare, "I Am Somebody."