|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
What a girl wants ... is for kids to help their community
By ALLY SIKORA © St. Petersburg Times, published October 2, 2000
They both think Jennifer Sasso is pretty neat, so much so that they wanted to meet her. Jennifer, 16 and a junior at Berkeley Preparatory, caught the attention of the Justice Department chief and the singing sensation because she started Creative Kids, a non-profit organization that provides craft supplies and classes to children going through tough times -- abuse, cancer, losing their families. She volunteers at the Spring of Tampa Bay, a domestic abuse shelter in Hillsborough County, teaching art to children twice a month. "The kids there are either really excited and in-your-face," said Jennifer, "or are more shy and withdrawn. By the end of the two-hour class, they all relax and really warm up to the activity and are more confident." Reno found out about Jennifer's community work when Jennifer's dad, Gary, who is a lawyer, went to a conference in Washington, D.C., where Reno was speaking. Reno had a lot to say about domestic violence and was especially interested in getting people involved to stop domestic violence in their communities. Jennifer's dad told the attorney general about Jennifer's work at the Spring. Reno was so impressed she called Jennifer at home and invited her to Washington in September. Jennifer said meeting the attorney general was pretty cool. "Janet Reno . . . asked me what the Justice Department could do to support community programs like mine," Jennifer said. "I had to go through all these security checks, and I had to wear a security badge that was time sensitive. It started to flash when my time expired and I was still in the hallway!" Back at home, Jennifer was flipping through the newspaper and saw a little blurb about a program called "Come On Over and Do Something," an effort to encourage kids to get involved in their communities and make a difference. The program is sponsored by Do Something, a national non-profit organization, and Sears and Levi's, which are also the sponsors of Christina Aguilera's concert tour. The Grammy-winning singer joined forces with these sponsors to support the Come On Over and Do Something initiative. Jennifer went to the Do Something Web site (http://www.dosomething.org) for more information. It's a great site and helps kids pick an area of community service, such as the environment or the prevention of child abuse, domestic violence, gun violence and racism. She filled out a grant application at the Do Something Web site and wrote an essay about her work at the Spring and her idea of creating a non-profit organization that helps kids of abused parents. A representative of Do Something called with the news her application had been chosen among hundreds of nationwide entries to win a $500 Sears and Levi's Youth Empowerment Grant, AND the chance to meet Christina Aguilera at her Tampa concert. What a thrill! "We went to a reception backstage. Christina came to meet us and say "hi,' " and pose for some pictures, Jennifer said. "She was very nice. I think she really cares about people and wants to help those less fortunate." Jennifer, whose favorite subjects are English and Spanish, said her favorite Christina Aguilera song is Come On Over.
"I talked with counselors and school faculty and got a sponsor, who will be a real asset. I also had to fill out some forms to get the club approved. We now have 15 student volunteers who help plan craft projects, get supplies for the craft bags and volunteer at the different sites. We also have meetings once a week at school for half an hour." Creative Kids teaches art classes and distributes bags with art supplies to Tampa General Hospital, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and the Children's Home. The Do Something Web site offers a starter kit for getting efforts going at your school and other helpful information. The site also has contests and polls, posts poetry and art from kids and includes a Web journal. The site will search your ZIP code for volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood. "I think Creative Kids will make a difference," said Jennifer before the Christina Aguilera concert at the Ice Palace. "It gives children the opportunity to forget about unfortunate things in their lives and have fun." If you would like to help or donate to Creative Kids, you may contact the Spring at (813) 247-7233 and ask for child life director Malawi Hills. Jennifer wants to encourage others to do something for their community. "Tell people your ideas so they can then turn into opportunities," she said. Ally Sikora, 10, is in the fifth grade at Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary School.
© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
|
|