Union Launch Brand New Philadelphia Union Foundation

Chester, Pa. (March 8, 2012) According to its mission statement, the Philadelphia Union Foundation provides opportunities for children through the power of relationships to offer transformational change in the areas of education, community, health and recreation. The Foundation's vision is to use soccer as a conduit for change by reinforcing the traditional family values of honesty, integrity, effort and accountability.

The Foundation also listed its building blocks, which include the Philadelphia Union Foundation - G.O.A.L.S. (Giving Our Athletes Life Skills) component that provides after-school life skills programming, the provision of safe fields for children to play soccer and the promotion of good health through proper nutrition and the physical development of soccer as a safe and fun after-school activity.

Programming elements include a Soccer for Success curriculum provided by US Soccer Foundation, a Chester Upland field project with Widener University, health and wellness initiatives and soccer development programs.

The Union open up the 2012 season on March 12 with a nationally televised game against Portland at 9:30 p.m. EST. The club then returns home to PPL Park on Sunday, March 18 to face the Colorado Rapids at 4:00 p.m. (Copyright 2011 Philadelphia Union. Reprinted by permission)