Amanda Haworth (La Jolla)

I observed that the students at my school were not educated about the Holocaust and also could be very intolerant of individuals and of groups of people. I began a program for Holocaust education/tolerance training at my local public high school by funding a trip for students to visit the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. I raised over $12,000 to fund the trip for the entire junior class (410 students plus adults) by writing letters, calling and meeting with people during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. This museum has a lasting impact on the students who visit it. The trip to the Museum of Tolerance was incorporated into of the local school’s curriculum with students now attending while in middle school.

To read Amanda's reflection one year later, click here.

Allison Hoffman (Los Altos)

YADA: Youth Alliance for Darfur Action is a coalition of high school students from the San Francisco Peninsula working to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan by raising awareness and encouraging action within the teenage community. Founded in September of 2006 in Los Altos, California, the initial intention of the group was to connect local high school students so that they could share their ideas and work together to collectively fight the genocide.

From this idea, a determined group of six high school students emerged. The members believe in the strength of the youth voice and want to use this power to spark significant change in the attitude towards the genocide. They want to make a conscious effort to transform the community on behalf of teenagers everywhere. The group came together to promote change within its own schools and communities.

The main goals of the group are to raise money for humanitarian aid, to promote advocacy on government policies to improve the current situation and to raise awareness about the current genocide in Sudan.

YADA plans to achieve its goals through creative approaches that appeal to teenagers. By recognizing the interests of teens, it works to plan events and fundraisers that appeal to the high school demographic.

To read Allison's reflection one year later, click here.

Justin Sachs (Carlsbad)

This tikkun project was founded for the purpose of uniting the Jewish youth community in tikkun olam and chesed (loving kindness.) In April 2006 the Peak Performance Lifestyles Foundation was created with the goal of creating a youth leadership venue allowing youth across the world to connect and embrace their leadership qualities, to give them the opportunity to contribute to the lives of those less fortunate, and to help others grow and embrace the leadership qualities they have attained themselves.

The Peak Performance Lifestyles Foundation is dedicated to empowering teenagers with the tools to become leaders and to contribute to their communities. Through workshops, personal coaching sessions, and social action and contribution events teenagers are given opportunities to implement their new-found leadership skills.

To read Justin's reflection one year later, click here.

Shira Shane (Encino)

I worked to bring awareness and action about the genocide in Darfur, Sudan throughout the Los Angeles community. I started off with an awareness campaign at my high school, which grew into the education of middle schools and camps on this topic, along with the creation of TAG (Teens Against Genocide), a 100% high school-run organization comprised of students from high schools all over Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Last year TAG held a rally in front of the Wilshire Boulevard Federal Building and raised thousands of dollars to build wells and a medical center for Sudanese refugees.

To read Shira's reflection one year later, click here.

Erich Sorger (Beverly Hills)

My program, Dollars for Dwaynes, has kept reusable items out of the city’s landfills, helping the environment, as well as to clean up Westwood, and, as of mid-June 2007, has provided $17,570 of old clothes, electronics, furniture, books, CDs, DVDs, videos and office supplies to thrift stores of the National Council of Jewish Women, to fund programs to assist women, children, and families in need. These items sold in their stores have funded programs including Women Helping Children, which provides school enrichment, tutoring, children’s literacy, teen mentoring and tutoring, reaching more than 4,000 students each week; Women Helping Women, a program for women and families in crisis, including a talkline with trained counselors; NCJW/LA Advocacy Agency for Social Justice; and the NCJW/LA voucher program, which provides thousands of items of free clothing to agencies serving homeless shelters, battered women’s facilities, people re-entering the workforce, and those in need.

To read Erich's reflection one year later, click here.