Making a
Difference in the World
Despite the pressures of modern
childhood, there are plenty of kids who demonstrate generosity and concern for their communities and others around the world. These local kids have gone above and beyond to make an impact—take a look at their incredible stories.
Photo courtesy of Ethan Hirschberg
San Diego Teens
Anne Malinoski
Photo credit: Christopher Shaw
Ethan Hirschberg
Beatriz De Oliveira Four years ago, 17-year-old Beatriz De Oliveira of Carmel Valley was donating toys at a daycare in her native country of Brazil when she noticed something surprising—the children had no books to read. She was disheartened to learn that most childcare centers in Brazil lack funding for more than the most basic supplies. Beatriz decided to act. She founded Books for a Change to place books in the hands of children in at-risk areas and developing countries. Books for a Change has touched the lives of nearly 10,000 children in Brazil, San Diego and Mexico, having raised $5,000 plus more than 1,000 donated books. In four years, the organization has grown to include 200 volunteers and five high school chapters. For her outstanding leadership and service,
20 • SanDiegofamily.com • November 2019
Beatriz received a 2019 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award—a prestigious national honor that recognizes Jewish teens committed to tikkun olam (repairing the world). Beatriz, a senior at Torrey Pines High School, is currently designing a literacy curriculum to be used by daycare providers in developing countries. She’s also working on a video series in Portuguese that will help childcare workers learn to read aloud in an engaging manner—a proven strategy for promoting childhood language development. “Anytime that work becomes difficult, I remind myself of the magic that we bring to every child that comes in contact with a book,” says Beatriz. Follow Books for a Change on Facebook @BooksforaChange or visit the website at www.booksforachange.org.
Also a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award winner, Ethan Hirschberg, 18, of Rancho La Costa was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 2. In 2017, he took a class at his local temple and was inspired by a lesson on “creator versus victim theory.” It states that in the face of uncontrollable life circumstances one can either choose to feel like a victim or a creator—building the life one desires. Ethan’s choice was clear. He founded The Journey Through Autism—a blog where he shares personal experiences, insight and advice to anyone affected by autism. Ethan’s posts convey the worries and triumphs of his life with unflinching honesty. His readers often interact on the blog with expressions of gratitude and hope. “Their messages and comments brighten my day and remind me of why I do what I do,” says Ethan. In addition to his 40,000 blog readers in 50 countries, The San Dieguito High School senior has also reached thousands as a motivational speaker. Through his work, he aims to educate the public about autism, decrease instances of bullying and improve employment rates for those with autism. Read the blog at: www. thejourneythroughautism.com. Follow Ethan on Facebook and Instagram @ TheJourneyThroughAutism, on his YouTube channel of the same name, or on Twitter @jrnythruautism.