Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, organizers of the largest Latino festival of its kind in the country Fiesta Del Sol, proudly announce our partnership with Chicago Fire Football Club.
As the new Chicago Fire FC partner, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council will serve as a connection for the community outreach between the Fire and the communities of the southwest side of Chicago.
The kickoff of this partnership will take place July 28th-31st during the 50th anniversary of Fiesta del Sol, where Chicago Fire will support youth soccer clinics and perform different activations throughout the whole Fiesta del Sol weekend.
Throughout the weekend, Chicago Fire will be present at the festival, hosting a booth with games, Fire merchandise and fan giveaways. In addition, Fiesta del Sol and Chicago Fire will join together for the first time ever to host a Soccer In The Community Clinic (SITC) for kids and teenagers.
These clinics will take place on Friday July 29th and Saturday July 30th at the Benito Juárez Community Academy soccer field, and Chicago Fire Soccer Coaches will be present supporting the event. On Sunday, July 31st the Fire will help manage an 8-team youth soccer tournament, providing jerseys for all participants to wear, plus 15 tickets for the winning team to attend the Fire’s match on Sept. 17 against Charlotte.
“We are very honored that Chicago’s soccer team Chicago Fire has become our newest partner and even happier that their mission in the community aligns with PNCC mission” Juan F. Soto, Executive Director of Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, said. “Together we hope to reach as many communities as we can on the southwest side of Chicago. Our work with CPS, and the Chicago Fire work with CPS with their after-school soccer programs is the perfect example of how we ambition this partnership to look like ”.
In addition to the festival activations, the Chicago Fire will also contribute three college scholarships to students from the Pilsen community, as well as host community engagement events with appearances by Chicago Fire players.
“We are thrilled to partner with Pilsen Neighbors Community Council on Fiesta Del Sol and beyond,” Jessica Yavitz, Executive Director of the Fire Foundation, said. “The kick-off weekend’s festivities are just the beginning of an incredible partnership that will continue to strengthen our relationship with the local community and provide more opportunities for Chicago’s youth to participate in sport and increase their future outcomes.”
The partnership between the Fire and Pilsen Neighbors Community Council will continue throughout the year, and the Club will support the Leadership Development Institute, the new home of Pilsen Neighbors, as well as participate with the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and Pilsen Chamber of Commerce.