Boston, MA — On Thursday October 18th, staff and supporters of Boston Youth Wrestling gathered at Filippo’s Ristorante to raise funds for the upcoming wrestling season and to celebrate the successes of the program. BYW is profoundly thankful to our event sponsor Barrales Law and Filippo’s Ristorante for generously donating the food and space for the event. Thanks to our sponsorships and donations from the night, BYW raised $10,000 that will be directed to programs this winter season.
BYW Founder and President José Valenzuela spoke to the crowd at the end of the night, “When we started this organization, we were figuring out so much about how to run a nonprofit, and how to get started. I had a lot of doubts back then as the director of a new nonprofit, but one thing I never doubted was the impact the sport of wrestling could have on the youth of Boston to break the cycle of violence, poverty, and low achievement in school and to change the narrative — this mission has been driving us since Day One, and continues to drive us now.”
Jeff Marsh, the Executive Director of Beat the Streets National, who was in attendance that night, said of the event, “Finding a way to make the sport and the experience better for the kids is key to the future. Being able to share the night with so many passionate youth supporters, brilliant minds, and to discuss future further collaboration and to talk about how we can learn from one another is exciting. I am excited for Bior, José, their board and all of the schools, coaches and kids they work with. BYW already has a very deep impact on the children in their program, I can’t wait to see them expand that.”
