Match for a Cause Presented by Liberty Bank

Match for a Cause 2024 Recap

Hartford Athletic and Liberty Bank collaborated for the second time on Match for a Cause, marking the sixth edition of the annual initiative. Each year, a local charity is chosen to be the beneficiary of an auction featuring special autographed game-worn jerseys from the Match for a Cause. This year, we were proud to support Our Piece of the Pie (OPP), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth in Hartford. Our players sported uniquely designed orange and black uniforms that match OPP’s branding to add to the special night. The online auction along with Liberty Bank’s donation raised over $23,000 for OPP, the most in the six-year history of Match for a Cause. 

Founded in 1975, Our Piece of the Pie provides personalized, comprehensive support to help the Hartford youth succeed in education and employment. OPP works with people ages 14-24; offering assistance in personal development, academic achievement, and workforce readiness. Through initiatives like mentoring, job training, and alternative education, OPP helps young people overcome barriers and build brighter futures. Each youth is paired with a specialist to create an individualized plan for long-term success.

Hartford Athletic would like to express its gratitude to Our Piece of the Pie and Liberty Bank for making this year’s Match for a Cause so successful.

About Our Piece of the Pie

Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth in the Greater Hartford region by providing personalized, comprehensive support to help them succeed in education and employment. OPP works with youth ages 14-24, offering services in personal development, academic achievement, and workforce readiness. Through initiatives like mentoring, job training, and alternative education, OPP helps young people overcome barriers and build brighter futures. Each youth is paired with a specialist to create an individualized plan for long-term success.

Join Liberty Bank and Hartford Athletic in supporting this amazing organization. Your donations will directly benefit OPP and provide a lasting impact on the youth in the Greater Hartford region.

TO LEARN MORE AND DONATE, VISIT: opp.org

Cecile O’Meara

Youth Development Specialist

“OPP is an integral part of Hartford. We are a vital lifeline for young people, providing support, resources, opportunities, and fun! OPP aims to foster a safe and nurturing environment for all, no matter their background or life experiences. Without youth service agencies, participants may not have a safe place to go, may not have a strong role model looking out for them, and may not be able to enjoy life and be who they want to be.”

Elijah Hechevarria

OPP Youth Participant

“OPP is a big part of the Greater Hartford community. It’s a great way for youth that are struggling or just need a bit of help, to get on their feet or to work towards their goals. Without OPP, we would see a lot more of these youth either getting into trouble or not succeeding because they wouldn’t have the support they needed.”

Deion Kelly

Youth Development Specialist

“The unique thing about Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. is the relentless engagement and organizational initiatives. This includes strength-based, inclusive, and culturally competent language, tiered communication system, intentional goal setting and tracking, in-house programs and services (i.e. post-secondary and financial capabilities), and community partnerships.”

Alrick Bartley

OPP Youth Participant

“OPP has helped me accomplish a few of my goals and also gave me the necessary tools and advice to accomplish them to the best of my ability, which led to me earning a manufacturing certificate from Capital Community College. Through OPP, I have learned about workplace etiquette and communication, as well as how to advocate for myself.”