Hoboken Teen Awarded $36K For Initiative To Repair The World

Press release from the Helen Diller Family Foundation:

July 1, 2022

Spotlighting the power and creativity of young people to confront critical social issues, the Helen Diller Family Foundation, for the 16th year, is honoring 15 extraordinary teen leaders from across the country with $36,000 each for their initiative and impact as the 2022 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awardees.

19-year-old Dylan Zajac from Hoboken, NJ is one of the awardees. Dylan leads Computers 4 People, an organization with a mission to address the societal gap in access to technology, already donating 746 refurbished computers to those in need.

The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, founded in 2007, were the vision of Bay Area philanthropist Helen Diller, who sought to recognize the next generation of socially committed leaders whose dedication to volunteerism exemplifies the spirit of tikkun olam, a Jewish value meaning “to repair the world.” Award funding can help support Awardees’ education or deepen their project’s impact.

The 2022 Awardees are addressing a range of societal challenges, from the growing risks of climate change to the need to support veterans, refugees, and senior citizens. Their work includes advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, inspiring girls to be entrepreneurs, increasing access to computer science, and providing shoes to those experiencing homelessness. Awardees support community needs by creating networks that mobilize their peers to take collective, meaningful action. A full description of all 15 Award recipients and their projects can be found at: www.dillerteenawards.org.

“These 15 teens are true leaders of social change. Each of the 2022 Awardees is tackling a critical issue of our time with an innovative effort to create change and repair the world,” said Phyllis Cook, Philanthropic Consultant for Helen Diller Family Foundation. “These extraordinary teens are fulfilling their own personal commitments to tikkun olam, as they also inspire so many others in their communities, creating ripples of good that will have lasting impact.”

The 2022 Awardees join 159 Awards alumni as recipients of this honor, unique in its national scope, Jewish focus, and emphasis on service and impact. This year’s cohort will join a network of remarkable Awardees. Past recipients have gone on to receive recognition from prestigious institutions and leaders, including the United Nations Foundation, the Jefferson Awards Foundation, America’s Promise Alliance, and former President Barack Obama. Over the coming months, the teen leaders will gather to learn from one another about their work, their impact, and the overall importance of tikkun olam. They will be recognized at the annual Awards celebration in San Francisco in August.

Hundreds of teens ages 13-19, from across the country who self-identify as Jewish either applied directly or were nominated by teachers, rabbis, and mentors. The recipients were selected by national committees of community leaders and educators. Throughout the rigorous review process, applicants described several aspects of their projects, from the inspiration found in their Jewish identity to the far-reaching impact of their work. Applications and nominations for 2023 will open in August 2022.

This press release was produced by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. The views expressed here are the author's own.