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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Teens lead cause to Unify the community
A group of high school students will launch a new community program June 23 program
MT. PLEASANT — High schoolers are not just teenagers absorbed in their phones, friends, and themselves.
High schoolers are the future leaders of our communities, and one specific group is leading the charge for unification of immigrant and nonimmigrant communities in the Mt. Pleasant area.
Ten teenagers came together in March to create Unify.
They have established roles for each participant including Moroni Sanchez as the president and his brother Nefi Sanchez as the marketing and grant manager.
Other founding members include sisters Gabby and Joselin Tojin, siblings Victor and Alex Elias-Sixtos, Ale Figueroa-Garcia, Leslie Lopez, and Evelyn Escobar.
The group first gathered in Little Mexico because they saw a need in this community.
“There is always a great need for helping out the immigrant community,” Nefi said.
While there are other programs available for the immigrant community Nefi says that Unify is different.
“When we first met we found that we were all culturally mix,” Nefi said. “We could use our culture mix to bring together our immigrant and nonimmigrant communities.”
While the group is small and new, they have already begun working in the community through various volunteer efforts.
June 23 from 6-7 p.m., Unify will host its first activity in Central Park and invite the whole community to attend.
Unify will use the opportunity to share who they are, what their heartbeat is, how they already help the community, and how they plan to continue uniting people in the future.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
With only three months of existence for the Unify group, members have already begun serving the community in local food banks. Ale Figueroa-Garcia works with Unify at one of the food pantries.
The founding members of Unify have hearts for serving the Mt. Pleasant immigrant and nonimmigrant community. Marketing and Grant Manager Nefi Sanchez washes dishes at the IowaWINs food pantry at the first Presbyterian church.
Ten high school students work together to Unify immigrant and not immigrant communities with a brand-new unification group created in March. Pictured: Siblings Alex (right) and Victor Elias-Sixtos. (Photo Submitted)
Unify members meet to discuss plans for service to the community. Pictured from left: Victor Elias-Sixtos, Alex Elias-Sixtos, LeslieLopez, Nefi Sanchez, and Moroni Sanchez. (photo submitted)
