Foxborough, MA (May 30th, 2019) – On Tuesday afternoon, New England Patriots players Matthew Slater, Deatrich Wise, and cheerleader Alex interacted with more than 200 students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts about having good character and making smart decisions during the Character Playbook LIVE Experience. The event was held as part of the year three wrap up of Character PlaybookTM, a digital character education program powered by digital learning innovator EVERFI, and presented by the NFL and the United Way. Local United Way organizations that are partnering with the Patriots include United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Fall River United Way, United Way of the Greater Seacoast and the Granite United Way. 

Since the program's launch in the fall of 2016, Character PlaybookTM has reached nearly 60 schools and more than 4,500 students across the state of New Hampshire. During the 2018-19 school year, the program has gone national and now includes schools in Massachusetts. To date, Character PlaybookTM has reached 35 schools and almost 4,000 students within the state of Massachusetts. 

During the Character Playbook LIVE event, Matthew, Deatrich and Alex led discussions about character development, answered questions from students and shared some of their own personal experiences growing up. Participating schools included Auburn Village School in Auburn, N.H.; the Argosy Collegiate Charter School in Fall River, Mass.; the Ellis School in Fremont, N.H.; the Forest Grove Middle School in Worcester, Mass., and Kingswood Regional Middle School in Wolfeboro, N.H. 

When asked about developing good character, Matthew responded, "I think consistency is a big part of building good character. Whatever you do, you want to do it consistently. A lot of that consistency comes down to decision making. Being consistent and making good life decisions are going to lead to good character day in and day out." 

"The New England Patriots are committed to the success of youth across the region," said Michael K. Durkin, President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. "Together, we are helping the next generation develop good character, build healthy relationships and make good decisions. These lessons, right out of the Character Playbook, will help provide a foundation for learning and foster stronger student outcomes."

The Character PlaybookTM initiative was launched nationally during the 2016 NFL Draft and is powered by education technology leader EVERFI, which works with more than 20,000 K-12 schools. Character PlaybookTM modules are designed to help students develop healthy relationships and social norms. The program will be evaluated by measuring student knowledge gains as well as attitude and behavioral change. Character Playbook has helped over 430,000 students, in nearly 4,800 schools nationwide, learn how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships since the programs launch at the 2016 NFL Draft.

About United Way

United Way works to create positive, lasting change for people in need. By harnessing the power of people working together - individuals, nonprofits, companies, and government agencies -- United Way works every day to ensure that all families have safe housing, jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families and access to financial tools and coaching to help build a better future. United Way and its community partners are also focused on preparing children so they can enter school ready to learn, develop critical social and academic skills, and get the support they need to stay in school and graduate. Learn more at www.unitedwaymassbay.org.

About The New England Patriots Foundation

The New England Patriots Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity created by Robert Kraft to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of New England while underscoring the Kraft family's deep commitment to philanthropic activities in the community. The Foundation actively supports non-profit groups focusing on health, education, youth fitness and community enrichment while also implementing its own programs in those areas of focus. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.patriots.com/community.

About EVERFI, Inc.

EVERFI, Inc. is the education technology innovator that empowers K-12, higher education, and adult learners with the skills needed to be successful in life. Its comprehensive critical skills platform is focused on Financial Education, Digital Citizenship, STEM Career Readiness, Diversity and Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Character Education, and Health and Wellness. The EVERFI Education Network is powered by more than 4,200 partner organizations across all 50 states and Canada and annually reaches 6 million learners. Learn more at everfi.com and CharacterPlaybook.com.