Meet the Team: Unity In Action
Meet the 2024 YGPC Unity in Action youth team from Woburn Memorial High School and their two volunteer coaches, Rebecca Slisz and Rob Toro!
As admirers of change, Unity in Action feels they have the ability and passion to create a supportive and developing environment for young individuals. For example, they gather resources, funds, and essential items to support those who are less fortunate. Their project targets initiatives addressing key aspects of youths’ physical well-being and development.
Their coach Rebecca Slisz is the Interim Executive Director of the Network for Social Justice, based in Winchester, MA. She is excited to be in her first full-time role in the nonprofit sector after many years of volunteering while holding various marketing roles for healthcare and technology companies. Rebecca has been inspired by engaging with student interns at the Network for Social Justice. She feels the Pitch Contest is a good way to contribute and continue learning from high school students.
Unity in Action’s second coach is Rob Toro, the owner of Toro Construction. He is also a dedicated community activist and organizer and currently serves as Councilor at Large for the City of Woburn. With a background in criminal justice, he is currently the President of the Woburn Host Lions Club. Rob is a big advocate for young members of our society who want to be innovators and have the courage to try and become entrepreneurs.
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The goal of SCI’s Pitch Contest is to provide youth with the opportunity to decide how to strengthen their community while practicing valuable professional skills such as public speaking, project management, and community organizing. With the guidance and support of multiple professional volunteer coaches, each youth team will develop their project ideas and be in the driver’s seat of positive change. The youth teams will also have the opportunity to participate in skill-building workshops related to team collaboration, public speaking, and pitch development.
The Pitch program will culminate on April 6th, when SCI will host the in-person Pitch Event at the Microsoft NERD Center where $14,000 of grant funds will be awarded to at least 7 of our participating youth groups. Media are invited to attend the Pitch Event. Funded youth teams will have until November 2024 to complete their respective projects and submit a project impact report.
This project is supported by Kick It for a Cause, Winning Home, Inc., Gail O’Rourke, founder, Benefact4, Enterprise Bank, the AmeriCorps Agency, Massachusetts Service Alliance, and a Massachusetts state budget line item, thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Cindy Friedman. Major support for SCI Woburn is provided by Cummings Properties.
