Thursday, August 13, 2009

IN BRIEF : Local teen awarded $36,000 for community outreach

August 12, 2009 12:00 AM

SANTA BARBARA A local teen will receive $36,000 with the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award on Aug. 31 for her initiation of "Everybody Dance Now!," a social action project designed to be a positive outlet for at-risk teens.

Jackie Rotman, now 17, was 12 when her dance group performed a hip-hop routine for 80 teens with disabilities.

When the audio system failed, Jackie invited audience members onstage to "express themselves freely through music."

"Everybody Dance Now!" seeks to provide a creative outlet for approximately 2,000 Santa Barbara young people who are considered at risk for membership in gangs.

Jackie's program offers world dance classes and community service outreach to elderly, terminally ill and disabled.

For more information, visit sfjcf.org.

- Morgan Hoover

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