Teen Volunteers Tackle Education

EDUCATION issues range from bullying to literacy shortfalls to struggles for already cash-strapped institutions to find additional budget cuts. While adults are striving to address these problems, students are also stepping up, determined to help those in need of a better education locally and abroad. If you know any exceptional Jewish teen volunteers in CA, nominate them to win $36,000 that will change their lives and spotlight their extraordinary work!

2011 Recipient Casey Robbins with textbooks bound for Liberia

Casey Robbins (pictured above) received a 2011 Tikkun Olam Award for her work in securing and donating more than 10,000 textbooks to Liberian schools. After hearing on the radio about the lasting devastation caused by the country’s decade-long civil war, Casey contacted Liberia's Deputy Minister of Information to find out how she could help. She quickly learned that their education system was in dire straits. Casey made it her mission to send unused textbooks from her school district directly to Liberia. Today she has been able to ship thousands of books in four large shipments – a not-so-easy task she nailed down through research and perseverance.

Education is a way that teens feel they can have a big impact, and almost one in three of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award nominees last year worked on projects impacting the world of learning. Other incredible teens recognized with a nomination last year spearheaded projects such as coordinating bilingual and English-language tutoring, providing students with computers and computer literacy training, and organizing cause-oriented school clubs. Nominations are now open for the 2012 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards.

We are calling on you to help us celebrate the power of teens to change the world. Nominations may be submitted through January 6, 2012.