BOSTON, Aug. 23, 2013—District Attorney Daniel F. Conley yesterday brought children from across Boston and Suffolk County together for a day of fun celebrating teamwork and nonviolence, joining in a nationwide observance of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The 11th annual Soccer for Peace tournament brought about 150 kids and teens to Pope John Paul II Field in Dorchester for the tournaments and other events highlighting the importance of peace and nonviolence.
Soccer for Peace 2013
“Fifty years later, Dr. King’s call for justice, equality, and nonviolence still echoes,” Conley said. “As the nation observes this historic anniversary, we wanted to promote those values in our own small way.”
Once again, the event’s leading sponsors this year were Citizen’s Bank, who provided each participant with a backpack stocked with school supplies, and the New England Revolution. Revolution players Juan Agudelo and Bilal Ducket spoke to the youth before signing autographs and taking pictures with young players.
This year’s event also included a demonstration by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, interactive activities provided by the Museum of Science, and a visit by Jo Dragotta and Cat Whitehill of the Boston Breakers.
In addition, the event honored three individuals committed to furthering Dr. King’s dream through service to their communities. Role model awards were presented to:
This year’s Role Model Awards went to Marc Abelard, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement at West Roxbury Academy; Rev. Wayne Daley, Associate Minister at the Charles Street AME Church; and Officer Kenny Grubbs, the Youth Service officer at Boston Police District B2.
- Marc Abelard, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement at West Roxbury Academy;
- Rev. Wayne Sylvester Daley, associate minister of men at the Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, Community Relations Director for the Boston TenPoint Coalition, and chaplain for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department; and
- Kenneth H. Grubbs, Youth Service Officer for the Boston Police B-2 Community Service Office.
Conley thanked the many sponsors who helped make the event a success, as well as partner agencies Catholic Charities, the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Upham’s Corner Health Center, Boston Police Department, the Muslim Athletic League, America Scores New England, JAM’N 94.5, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.
Each summer since 2003, Conley has welcomed Suffolk County residents to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester, where kids, teens, and adults break off into teams and play one another in the world’s most popular sport. Conley’s office hosts the event as a way to foster harmony, community, and leadership skills for young people while building relationships with Suffolk prosecutors and victim advocates and hosting a fun, end-of-summer activity.
Soccer for Peace 2013
For more information on the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech, visit http://officialmlkdream50.com/.
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