About TORCH

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About TORCH

The Power of Peer Education

Since 1996, the National Institute’s TORCH program has provided knowledge and empowerment opportunities for young people in New York City to make informed choices in their lives; helped create a new generation of the pro-choice movement by fostering awareness and activism; offered accurate information to young people about adolescent health issues, including abortion, sexuality, and reproductive rights; and encouraged young people to build self-esteem through community advocacy and leadership training.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” icon=”” width=”” class=”” id=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_pop_tinymce=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

TORCH Staff

TORCH staff members are dedicated to creating a space where the teens are free to express themselves and address issues pertaining to sexual and reproductive health and other social justice issues relevant to their lives. Coming from differing backgrounds, their stories tell a unique tale and their experiences connect to make a program that is educational and uplifting.

Melissa Toala, Manager of Youth Initiatives, is an unapologetic Queer Latina from the Bronx. A self-identified hood feminist, she is the single mother of two children and has been working in the field of youth development and sexuality education for over 10 years. Her work is committed to Sexual Reproductive Justice and the advancement of Black, Brown and Indigenous lives as well other historically marginalized people and experiences through education and organizing. She is currently an MSW candidate at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with a method focus in Community Organizing, Planning and Development and a specialization in Youth and Families. She can be reached at [email protected].[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]