Introducing the Mental Health Track – 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest
Introducing the Bridge-Building Track - 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest
The SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest
provides youth with access to adult-mentoring relationships, financial, and network-building resources, while intentionally cultivating connections across socioeconomic barriers in Greater Boston. This year, the 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest has 14 teams assigned to one of three tracks: Arts & Culture, Bridge-Building, and Mental Health.
The Mental Health Track includes five teams: BGCD Keystone, Building Over Blocks, Fortune Avenue, GrowWithGuidance, and Lynn Lady Leaders. Their social impact projects support the youth or community in mental health, by reducing mental health stigma or social determinants of mental health, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
BGCD Keystone | Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, Dorchester
BGCD Keystone strives to support members of their community facing home insecurity and homelessness. They aim to create hygiene bags with every day needs that are essential to these community members ultimately hoping to bring awareness to the high home insecurity rate in Boston.
BGCD Keystone is coached by Jennifer Aversano, an Associate at JPMorgan, and Nate Warren, the Founder of Ask the Turtle Development Consulting.
Warren, a first time Pitch Coach, describes his motivation to coach as a way to give back to the community. “I am passionate about helping,” shared Warren.
Building Over Blocks | La Colaborativa, Chelsea
Building Over Blocks is one of three teams from La Colaborativa this year. They advocate for social justice and want to provide support and awareness for youth facing homelessness within the Chelsea community. The team also wants to support the preservation of their community’s cultural identity. They plan to host community tours exploring what home means to them and stage learning circles with youth from different communities.
Building Over Blocks is coached by Demeka Fields, Counsel of Global Sports Marketing for New Balance. “I look forward to using my experience to help these young people gain confidence and grow their public speaking skills and business acumen,” Fields stated.
The team is also coached by Diena Romero, an employee of Eastern Bank, and returning coach, Elise Brady, VP of Enterprise Systems at Rhone.
Fortune Avenue | Fortune Avenue, Boston
Fortune Avenue wants to provide accessible financial education for youth allowing them to learn essential money managing skills. They plan to host workshops dedicated to teaching youth these skills while promoting collaboration amongst the youth.
Fortune Avenue is coached by Sam Berman, an Associate at Fidelity Investments in the Emerging Leader Program in Boston. Also coaching them is Valeria Amato, a customer experience leader with over a decade of experience helping teams grow.
“I’m excited to volunteer as a coach to help young leaders turn their passion into action and discover the confidence that comes from sharing their ideas with purpose,” Amato shared.
GrowWithGuidance | GrowWithGuidance Inc., Natick
GrowWithGuidance promotes connection and mentorship between highschoolers and college to professional mentors. Their project is centered around hosting a Career Panel where high school students are given the opportunity to connect with professionals in fields they wish to work in, gaining insight and potential mentorship.
GrowWithGuidance is coached by Anita Yip, Founder of Project Asian Joy. Yip shared that she is happy to “be part of their journey—cheering them on, exploring challenges together, and pushing them just enough to see what they’re capable of.”
Coaching alongside Yip is Brendan Kieran, a reference librarian at the Haverhill Public Library.
Lynn Lady Leaders | Boys & Girls Club of Lynn
The final team to be introduced in the Mental Health Track is Lynn Lady Leaders. They are participating for the third consecutive year. Lynn Lady Leaders’ project is centered around empowering emerging youth leaders while also promoting a healthy lifestyle. With their fun workshops and supply cart, they highlight the connection between leadership and taking care of your wellbeing.
Lynn Lady Leaders is coached by Craig Himmelberger, a retiree with experience in software & technology, and Amy Lessner, a Commercial Banker at JPMorgan.
“I believe the overall mission of Social Capital Inc. is hugely important,” Lessner shared. “I am excited for the opportunity to be part of implementing the mission.”
Best of luck to our teams in the Mental Health Track as they continue to prepare for their pitches, happening on April 11, 2026 at Roxbury Community College!
Supporters of the 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest
The 2026 SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest is made possible by the generous support of Boston Bridges Initiative, Winning Home, Inc., State Street Foundation, The Brooks & Joan Fortune Family Foundation, M&T Bank, The Boston Foundation, Kick It For A Cause, Boston Children’s Hospital, and a Massachusetts state budget line item (thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Cindy Friedman). Major support for SCI’s youth programs is provided by Cummings Properties.
About the Youth Grant Pitch Contest
The Youth Grant Pitch Contest provides youth with access to adult-mentoring relationships, financial support, and network-building resources, while intentionally cultivating connections across socioeconomic barriers in Greater Boston. For more information visit socialcapitalinc.org/ygpc.
About SCI
SCI’s mission is to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives. SCI’s goal is to develop 1,000 youth + adult Social Capital Cultivators™ by 2028 who will increase social connection through civic engagement initiatives to build thriving, inclusive communities. Visit socialcapitalinc.org to learn more.
