| Teens Take Charge in the News! |
*This article also appeared in the Westbury Times
Syosset - Jericho Tribune, May 26, 2006
'Kids Of Distinction' Program Winners Recognized
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-Founder Philip M. Eslick, a resident of Old
Bethpage, recently announced the winners of the "Kids of Distinction" program, created last year to recognize exceptional youngsters in
the Town of Oyster Bay.
The winners were selected by the organization Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., which established a committee to judge applications.
"We have so many exceptional young people living in the Town that I'm certain it wasn't easy selecting just a handful of recipients,"
Venditto said. "I thank the committee for their hard work and dedication in designating these fine seven individuals."
The committee was comprised of a variety of individuals from various fields. Committee members included Robert F. Eslick, executive
director, Kids Helping Kids; Dr. Martin Brooks, superintendent, Plainview-Old Bethpage School District; Mitchell S. Klipper, COO, Barnes
& Noble; Steve Battino, Zeidman, Lackowitz, Prisand & Co., LLP; Paul Eberenz, Woodbury Country Deli; and Reed Mauser, a recent
graduate of Yale University who said the Kids Helping Kids organization had a great impact on his life.
"This program is very much geared towards recognizing activities done on a youngster's own initiative," Philip Eslick said. "We are
recognizing kids who participate in activities for the benefit of their community or neighborhood, outside of school-related activities."
Winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board on May 23, at which time they were
presented with a plaque and $500 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids. Kids Helping Kids Executive Director Robert F. Eslick would like
to thank Mr. John Chmela, chief operating officer of Millenium Auto Group, for the company's support and sponsorship of the $3,500 Kids
of Distinction scholarships.
The seven youngsters selected as "Kids of Distinction" for 2006 are Jordan Brustein, a sophomore at Jericho High School, Emmy Liss,
a junior at Friends Academy and a Brookville resident, Ryan Gong, a senior at Syosset High School, Alanna Ticali, a sixth-grade student
at Plainedge Middle School, Marc A. Magro, a seventh grade student at Hicksville Middle School, Kyle Essex, an eighth grade student at
North Shore Middle School and Ashley Pereless, a junior at Hicksville High School.
Jordan Brustein
When Jordan was just 13 years old, he broke both his wrists while playing soccer and football. He found himself temporarily
handicapped, needing the assistance of others to help him write and carry his books. During that time, Jordan realized how fortunate he
was that his was only a temporary situation and decided to help those who live with permanent handicaps.
Jordan began volunteering at AHRC and the Special Olympics, helping youngsters with permanent handicaps feel good about
themselves. At AHRC, Jordan volunteers at the Basketball Recreation Program, teaching children skills and love of the game. He also
helps organize an annual Thanksgiving food drive for the organization.
Jordan is also a juvenile mentoring program volunteer, where he tutors young children with special needs, helping them to improve their
academic performance and school attendance. In addition, Jordan has collected toiletry items for people in need and donated them to
the Federation of Employment and Guidance Services. Jordan has said he plans to continue to help others throughout his life.
Emmy Liss
Emmy is the founder of Teens Take Charge, a non-profit organization whose goal is to foster more community service opportunities
for high school students in Nassau County. Emmy started this group because she felt that many teens wanted to engage in
community service projects but did not know how to get started. To help facilitate this group, Emmy wrote to over 150 local
non-profit entities to determine their volunteer needs and is working to provide an online resource for teens who want to help
others (www.teenstakecharge.org).
Emmy also founded an art therapy club for SCO (St. Christopher Ottilie) Family of Services residents in Sea Cliff. Led by Emmy and other
student volunteers, the SCO students receive instruction and guidance in weekly arts and crafts projects.
Emmy's other community service contributions include organizing a candy drive during Halloween for the past two years to donate candy
to children unable to trick or treat on Halloween. Regardless of the cause, Emmy always looks for a way to help others.
Ryan Gong
When Ryan was required to read several novels as part of his English class assignments three years ago, he noticed that many
students threw away the books after they finished reading them. He decided to start collecting them and donate them to those who may
not be fortunate enough to have such books. Ryan soon found the Family and Children's Association and has been volunteering for
them ever since. He helps people of all ages, participating in activities such as reading to children to helping a senior citizen move into a
new home.
Additionally, Ryan learned to crochet and enlisted others who could to make scarves and hats for the homeless to keep them warm in
the winter. He also built a basketball hoop and baby seat for the Family Court children, made posters and initiated various craft projects
to amuse the children there.
Ryan says that volunteering has given him the opportunity to share talents and skills and to interact with people he wouldn't have met
under 'usual' circumstances. He knows that he is helping to make a difference in people's lives but, perhaps most importantly, he's
having fun doing it.
Winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board on May 23, at which time they were
presented with a plaque and $500 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids.
"There are many young individuals who have contributed to the great quality of life we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay. We felt it was
important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own
individual initiative," Supervisor Venditto said. "This provides a perfect opportunity for them to be recognized for their outstanding
achievements. They will surely stand as role models for their peers."
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-Founder Philip M. Eslick, a resident of Old
Bethpage, recently announced the winners of the "Kids of Distinction" program, created last year to recognize exceptional youngsters in
the Town of Oyster Bay.
The winners were selected by the organization Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., which established a committee to judge applications.
"We have so many exceptional young people living in the Town that I'm certain it wasn't easy selecting just a handful of recipients,"
Venditto said. "I thank the committee for their hard work and dedication in designating these fine seven individuals."
The committee was comprised of a variety of individuals from various fields. Committee members included Robert F. Eslick, executive
director, Kids Helping Kids; Dr. Martin Brooks, superintendent, Plainview-Old Bethpage School District; Mitchell S. Klipper, COO, Barnes
& Noble; Steve Battino, Zeidman, Lackowitz, Prisand & Co., LLP; Paul Eberenz, Woodbury Country Deli; and Reed Mauser, a recent
graduate of Yale University who said the Kids Helping Kids organization had a great impact on his life.
"This program is very much geared towards recognizing activities done on a youngster's own initiative," Philip Eslick said. "We are
recognizing kids who participate in activities for the benefit of their community or neighborhood, outside of school-related activities."
Winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board on May 23, at which time they were
presented with a plaque and $500 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids. Kids Helping Kids Executive Director Robert F. Eslick would like
to thank Mr. John Chmela, chief operating officer of Millenium Auto Group, for the company's support and sponsorship of the $3,500 Kids
of Distinction scholarships.
The seven youngsters selected as "Kids of Distinction" for 2006 are Jordan Brustein, a sophomore at Jericho High School, Emmy Liss,
a junior at Friends Academy and a Brookville resident, Ryan Gong, a senior at Syosset High School, Alanna Ticali, a sixth-grade student
at Plainedge Middle School, Marc A. Magro, a seventh grade student at Hicksville Middle School, Kyle Essex, an eighth grade student at
North Shore Middle School and Ashley Pereless, a junior at Hicksville High School.
Jordan Brustein
When Jordan was just 13 years old, he broke both his wrists while playing soccer and football. He found himself temporarily
handicapped, needing the assistance of others to help him write and carry his books. During that time, Jordan realized how fortunate he
was that his was only a temporary situation and decided to help those who live with permanent handicaps.
Jordan began volunteering at AHRC and the Special Olympics, helping youngsters with permanent handicaps feel good about
themselves. At AHRC, Jordan volunteers at the Basketball Recreation Program, teaching children skills and love of the game. He also
helps organize an annual Thanksgiving food drive for the organization.
Jordan is also a juvenile mentoring program volunteer, where he tutors young children with special needs, helping them to improve their
academic performance and school attendance. In addition, Jordan has collected toiletry items for people in need and donated them to
the Federation of Employment and Guidance Services. Jordan has said he plans to continue to help others throughout his life.
Emmy Liss
Emmy is the founder of Teens Take Charge, a non-profit organization whose goal is to foster more community service opportunities
for high school students in Nassau County. Emmy started this group because she felt that many teens wanted to engage in
community service projects but did not know how to get started. To help facilitate this group, Emmy wrote to over 150 local
non-profit entities to determine their volunteer needs and is working to provide an online resource for teens who want to help
others (www.teenstakecharge.org).
Emmy also founded an art therapy club for SCO (St. Christopher Ottilie) Family of Services residents in Sea Cliff. Led by Emmy and other
student volunteers, the SCO students receive instruction and guidance in weekly arts and crafts projects.
Emmy's other community service contributions include organizing a candy drive during Halloween for the past two years to donate candy
to children unable to trick or treat on Halloween. Regardless of the cause, Emmy always looks for a way to help others.
Ryan Gong
When Ryan was required to read several novels as part of his English class assignments three years ago, he noticed that many
students threw away the books after they finished reading them. He decided to start collecting them and donate them to those who may
not be fortunate enough to have such books. Ryan soon found the Family and Children's Association and has been volunteering for
them ever since. He helps people of all ages, participating in activities such as reading to children to helping a senior citizen move into a
new home.
Additionally, Ryan learned to crochet and enlisted others who could to make scarves and hats for the homeless to keep them warm in
the winter. He also built a basketball hoop and baby seat for the Family Court children, made posters and initiated various craft projects
to amuse the children there.
Ryan says that volunteering has given him the opportunity to share talents and skills and to interact with people he wouldn't have met
under 'usual' circumstances. He knows that he is helping to make a difference in people's lives but, perhaps most importantly, he's
having fun doing it.
Winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board on May 23, at which time they were
presented with a plaque and $500 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids.
"There are many young individuals who have contributed to the great quality of life we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay. We felt it was
important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own
individual initiative," Supervisor Venditto said. "This provides a perfect opportunity for them to be recognized for their outstanding
achievements. They will surely stand as role models for their peers."
* This article also appeared in the Hicksville Illustrated News and the Plainview - Old Bethpage Herald. Both articles
were also published on May 26, 2006.
were also published on May 26, 2006.
Teens Take Charge
Hicksville Illustrated News, June 2, 2006
Press Release
www.LIvolunteerfhallOffame.org
March 26, 2007
Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame Announces installation of six benches honoring inductees at Bethpage
State Park on April 16
National Volunteer Week is April 15 – 21, 2007
Working closely with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Long Island Volunteer
Hall of Fame now has a permanent home at Bethpage State Park (host of the U.S. Open 2002 and 2009),
Farmingdale, New York. To commemorate inductees, benches with inscribed plaques will be installed at the Carlyle on
the Green clubhouse grounds and golf course tees on the Blue, Green and Yellow courses. Benches in honor of
Harry Chapin founder of Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank and Mother Anselma Ruth founder of Molloy
College, were unveiled in 2006. In recognition of National Volunteer Week, a dedication ceremony for six benches will
be held at the first tee of the Blue Course, Monday, April 16, at Noon. A reception in the Tillinghast Room, Carlyle on
the Green, will follow.
Benches will be unveiled in honor of Irving Berkowitz, Federation of Organizations, Al Eskanazy, Ascent: A School for
Individuals with Autism, Joan Imhof, Long Island Volunteer Center, Lyn Jurick, Ronald McDonald House of Long Island,
Diana O’Neill, Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award in Volunteerism, and Patricia Shea, MOMMA’S House. A
Prudential Spirit of Community Youth Award will also be presented to Emmy Liss, creator of www.
teenstakecharge.org. Special guest Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, new subcommittee chair of Healthy
Families and Communities which oversees national volunteerism, will give welcoming remarks.
Growing out of the United Nations International Year of the Volunteers 2001, the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame
(now in its 6th year) celebrates the humanitarian spirit by inducting volunteer founders of nonprofit organizations
whose vision, dedication and drive addressed a community need and began a legacy of service to improve the quality
of life for Long Islanders. A special award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism is also conveyed to unique
individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through a lifetime commitment of community
service, and philanthropy. An independent panel of judges, including community leaders in the nonprofit, business,
academia, media, and public service sectors, selects the inductees.
www.LIvolunteerfhallOffame.org
March 26, 2007
Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame Announces installation of six benches honoring inductees at Bethpage
State Park on April 16
National Volunteer Week is April 15 – 21, 2007
Working closely with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Long Island Volunteer
Hall of Fame now has a permanent home at Bethpage State Park (host of the U.S. Open 2002 and 2009),
Farmingdale, New York. To commemorate inductees, benches with inscribed plaques will be installed at the Carlyle on
the Green clubhouse grounds and golf course tees on the Blue, Green and Yellow courses. Benches in honor of
Harry Chapin founder of Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank and Mother Anselma Ruth founder of Molloy
College, were unveiled in 2006. In recognition of National Volunteer Week, a dedication ceremony for six benches will
be held at the first tee of the Blue Course, Monday, April 16, at Noon. A reception in the Tillinghast Room, Carlyle on
the Green, will follow.
Benches will be unveiled in honor of Irving Berkowitz, Federation of Organizations, Al Eskanazy, Ascent: A School for
Individuals with Autism, Joan Imhof, Long Island Volunteer Center, Lyn Jurick, Ronald McDonald House of Long Island,
Diana O’Neill, Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award in Volunteerism, and Patricia Shea, MOMMA’S House. A
Prudential Spirit of Community Youth Award will also be presented to Emmy Liss, creator of www.
teenstakecharge.org. Special guest Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, new subcommittee chair of Healthy
Families and Communities which oversees national volunteerism, will give welcoming remarks.
Growing out of the United Nations International Year of the Volunteers 2001, the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame
(now in its 6th year) celebrates the humanitarian spirit by inducting volunteer founders of nonprofit organizations
whose vision, dedication and drive addressed a community need and began a legacy of service to improve the quality
of life for Long Islanders. A special award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism is also conveyed to unique
individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through a lifetime commitment of community
service, and philanthropy. An independent panel of judges, including community leaders in the nonprofit, business,
academia, media, and public service sectors, selects the inductees.
Emmy Liss Sets Out to 'Take Charge'
Online Community Service Directory Enables Teens to Get Involved
By Victoria A. Caruso
Emmy Liss, a junior at Friends Academy, is working hard to make a difference. Earlier this year, the 16-year-old
Brookville resident launched Teens Take Charge, a new nonprofit Long Island-based organization designed to help
teenagers find community service opportunities they can identify with through an easily accessible online resource.
Teens Take Charge website (www.teenstakecharge.org) is accessible database listing various registered nonprofit
foundations located throughout Nassau County. The information is sorted by location and focus so teenagers can
find whatever they are looking for based on their priorities.
Through her own experience with service opportunities, Emmy discovered that many of her peers wanted to volunteer
but did not know where to start. Many teenagers feel forced into community service to complete school requirements
or to pad college résumés. Such projects are not necessarily fulfilling because many students partake in
opportunities they personally would not choose or do not find stimulating.
"I started the website because I noticed that many kids my age want to get involved in community service. I am
fortunate to have a vast variety of programs available at my school and I have even started some of my own, but
many people I know do not have options like that. Other people do community service without being personally
rewarded because they find the work tedious, since they're doing it just to fulfill a requirement," said Emmy.
"Additionally, I've organized candy drives and other collections in the past, and found it difficult to locate organizations
to accept the items."
Through Teen Take Charge, Emmy has set out to alleviate these programs. "Teens Take Charge was designed as a
solution to those issues. I have personally benefited so much from my service work and I want other people to feel the
same way." While on the site, students can search the various categories and locate countless opportunities.
"When Emmy explained her idea to me, I thought it would be a tremendous tool for high school students, and since its
inception, the website has received great interest with an increasing number of daily views and inquiries," Gail Liss
said of her daughter's work in starting Teens Take Charge.
She added, "I applaud teens who want to make the effort to find a community service opportunity that is truly
meaningful to them - Teens Take Charge enables and empowers teens to find these opportunities."
One organization listed on the Teens Take Charge website stated, "I want to thank you for the opportunity to be listed
along with other nonprofit organizations. This is a wonderful idea [from which] many people will benefit ..."
Emmy began collecting data from organizations back in January and launched the site in March. "I now have 34
member organizations, but through organizations like Long Island Volunteer Center I have many more volunteer
opportunities from non-members," said Emmy, adding that she would "still really like to add more ..." and has made
joining as simple as filling out an online information survey. "That's all an organization needs to do to join," said Emmy.
When she's not busy working on the website, Emmy, daughter of Gail and Sam Liss, enjoys studying foreign
languages and traveling as well as art, photography and playing tennis.
For additional information, visit www.teenstakecharge.org or contact Emmy Liss at info@teenstakecharge.org.
Online Community Service Directory Enables Teens to Get Involved
By Victoria A. Caruso
Emmy Liss, a junior at Friends Academy, is working hard to make a difference. Earlier this year, the 16-year-old
Brookville resident launched Teens Take Charge, a new nonprofit Long Island-based organization designed to help
teenagers find community service opportunities they can identify with through an easily accessible online resource.
Teens Take Charge website (www.teenstakecharge.org) is accessible database listing various registered nonprofit
foundations located throughout Nassau County. The information is sorted by location and focus so teenagers can
find whatever they are looking for based on their priorities.
Through her own experience with service opportunities, Emmy discovered that many of her peers wanted to volunteer
but did not know where to start. Many teenagers feel forced into community service to complete school requirements
or to pad college résumés. Such projects are not necessarily fulfilling because many students partake in
opportunities they personally would not choose or do not find stimulating.
"I started the website because I noticed that many kids my age want to get involved in community service. I am
fortunate to have a vast variety of programs available at my school and I have even started some of my own, but
many people I know do not have options like that. Other people do community service without being personally
rewarded because they find the work tedious, since they're doing it just to fulfill a requirement," said Emmy.
"Additionally, I've organized candy drives and other collections in the past, and found it difficult to locate organizations
to accept the items."
Through Teen Take Charge, Emmy has set out to alleviate these programs. "Teens Take Charge was designed as a
solution to those issues. I have personally benefited so much from my service work and I want other people to feel the
same way." While on the site, students can search the various categories and locate countless opportunities.
"When Emmy explained her idea to me, I thought it would be a tremendous tool for high school students, and since its
inception, the website has received great interest with an increasing number of daily views and inquiries," Gail Liss
said of her daughter's work in starting Teens Take Charge.
She added, "I applaud teens who want to make the effort to find a community service opportunity that is truly
meaningful to them - Teens Take Charge enables and empowers teens to find these opportunities."
One organization listed on the Teens Take Charge website stated, "I want to thank you for the opportunity to be listed
along with other nonprofit organizations. This is a wonderful idea [from which] many people will benefit ..."
Emmy began collecting data from organizations back in January and launched the site in March. "I now have 34
member organizations, but through organizations like Long Island Volunteer Center I have many more volunteer
opportunities from non-members," said Emmy, adding that she would "still really like to add more ..." and has made
joining as simple as filling out an online information survey. "That's all an organization needs to do to join," said Emmy.
When she's not busy working on the website, Emmy, daughter of Gail and Sam Liss, enjoys studying foreign
languages and traveling as well as art, photography and playing tennis.
For additional information, visit www.teenstakecharge.org or contact Emmy Liss at info@teenstakecharge.org.