One Final Story from Session 1!

Hi all! Thanks for an awesome week of Soccer Nights. We couldn't leave Session 1 without sharing one last story.

Thanks to Rachael for sharing her thoughts about Soccer Nights. We feel the same. :) 

Rachael - Curriculum, Orange Division
“This is my second year volunteering. I don’t think we always quite recognize the significance of the time we spend doing this. Really. Truly. A week from now, or a month from now---I think it’s going to hit you that this is huge for the city of Cambridge. This is huge for parents to be out here playing soccer with their children. They wouldn’t be out here playing soccer with their kids like this without us doing this. I think this is a huge initiative for the city of Boston. That is not to be undervalued. We’re playing a role that might be bigger than we even give ourselves credit for.

I even see huge growth from last year to this year. Last year, the parents were a little less connected. This year, having your team working with the parents—I marvel at that. I absolutely marvel at that! You look up and kids are active, and parents are active and engaged with us.

I can’t say enough good things about this program. I clout it to everyone at work, and I just really want you to reflect on the impact this can have on our city. Many of us are transient, right? In 5 years, you might be living in another city, and if the door opens for you to get this going in another city, or another town, or to partner with a church and the police (like we’ve done here), that’s what transforms communities. That’s what transforms cities. And that’s what transforms countries. I know that’s a little bit philosophical, but I do see that this is what is going on here.

And that’s huge.”