2 minute read
Rochel Groner's Friendship Circle Pitch at Seed20 Wins Coveted Coaches' Award
September 2023
By Bentzion Groner
Rochel Groner wears many hats in the Charlotte Jewish community, including her roles at ZABS Place, and Chabad of Charlotte, but it is her role as director of Friendship Circle that earned her a coveted spot in SEED20, a communications training and pitch competition program created by Social Venture Partners (SVP) Charlotte. SEED stands for Social Entrepreneurs EmpowereD.
This is a high-energy event where ten members of the class compete to win cash awards by making three-minute pitches to a panel of judges and a community audience. The audience is treated to a pre and post reception and also votes to select the $20,000 grand prize winner.
SEED20 shines a spotlight on nonprofit entrepreneurs and connects concepts from the business world to the nonprofit world in order to address social challenges in our community.
Rochel’s pitch was full of passion for creating social opportunities for children, teens, and young adults with special needs through genuine one-on-one friendships and inclusive group activities at Friendship Circle’s Inclusive Fun Zone, ultimately winning her the highly coveted Coaches’ Award, accompanied by a $2,000 prize!
Her pitch highlighted the way Friendship Circle’s team has bridged the gap between neurotypical high school teens and those with special needs is a shining example of how friendship and acceptance can transform lives.
You can watch the pitch at FriendshipCircleNC.org/Seed20
Friendship Circle is an affiliate of Chabad of Charlotte and a proud beneficiary organization of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.
