Unico is the Italian word for "unique", chosen to represent the one-of-a-kind nature of the organization. The word has since become a backronym which stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, Opportunity. Founded in 1922 by Dr. Vastola in Waterbury, Connecticut to unite people of Italian heritage in an organization to perform charitable, patriotic and educational deeds. UNICO’s motto is “Service Above Self”. The name is the Italian word for unique, one of a kind. The founders believed that UNICO would be the only one of its kind because it placed service to the community before and above fraternity. The name is the Italian word for unique, one of a kind. The founders believed that UNICO would be the only one of its kind because it placed service to the community before and above fraternity. The name is the Italian word for unique, one of a kind. The founders believed that UNICO would be the only one of its kind because it placed service to the community before and above fraternity. UNICO means “unique” in Italian. The group would be the only one of its kind as it would encourage all Italian-Americans to greater civic mindedness. It would ask its members to make sacrifices, not for personal gain, but for service to others. Mar 11, 2025 · Recognized as the largest Italian American Service Organization in the United States, UNICO holds true to its core principle of Service Above Self.