Tacoma, Washington – June 19, 2026 – Street Child United (SCU) has officially kicked off its highly anticipated #IAmSomebody Tour, a youth-led initiative aimed at advocating for street-connected young people across North America. This tour, launched in partnership with Bank of America, will feature a series of events that highlight the voices and demands of young leaders who participated in the recent Street Child World Cup held in Mexico City.

1. Tour Highlights and Goals

The #IAmSomebody Tour commenced in Tacoma, Washington, and will journey through Miami, Toronto, New York, and Washington, D.C., culminating in a significant presentation at the United Nations. The tour aims to leverage the visibility and excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to advocate for the rights of the estimated 150 million street-connected youth worldwide, who often face neglect and marginalization.

John Wroe, CEO of Street Child United, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, *"The work to improve the lives of street-connected young people cannot end when the final whistle blows at the Street Child World Cup. The #IAmSomebody Tour is devoted to taking their demands further."*

2. Bank of America’s Role

As the presenting sponsor of Street Child United and the Official Bank of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Bank of America is committed to enhancing the impact of the tour. David Tyrie, President of Marketing, Digital and Specialized Consumer Client Solutions at Bank of America, remarked, *"We have seen firsthand the power of soccer in bringing together communities and creating lasting impact. Street Child United is harnessing the power of the world's biggest sporting event to help drive change for millions of street-connected young people around the globe."*

This partnership is part of Bank of America's broader initiative to create access and opportunity through sports, which includes their Sports with Us platform and collaborations with organizations such as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Soccer Forward Foundation.

3. Events and Community Engagement

The inaugural event featured an Indigenous Youth Soccer Tournament co-hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, bringing together 80 Indigenous youths from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The tournament was held at the newly established Bank of America Fields at the Visa Street Soccer Park, showcasing not only soccer but also cultural celebrations and advocacy sessions.

Future stops on the tour include:

Miami: Featuring a roundtable discussion with Sir David Beckham.

Toronto (July 5-8): SCU Young Leaders will engage in a town hall discussion and participate in a Street Soccer match with Team Canada.

Washington, D.C. (July 9-12): A local community soccer activation and an event with the British Embassy.

New York (mid-July): Another community soccer activation on the Bank of America Fields in Manhattan, with involvement from Street Soccer NYC.

The tour will conclude at the United Nations, where SCU Young Leaders will present the Street Child World Cup Charter of Demands, a youth-led initiative calling for action on the rights of street-connected young people.

4. Conclusion

The #IAmSomebody Tour represents a critical step in elevating the voices of street-connected youth during a significant global event. With the backing of Bank of America and the passion of young leaders, this initiative not only aims to raise awareness but also to foster lasting change in the lives of those who are often overlooked. As Wroe stated, *"During the FIFA World Cup, we have a powerful opportunity to make sure street-connected young people are seen, heard, and taken seriously by those in power."*

This collaboration embodies a shared vision of community impact, youth access, and positive social change, paving the way for future initiatives that transform how society views and supports street-connected youth.

Original press release