CHS Student Allison Kofsky of South Orange Honored with NCJW Volunteer Award – The Village Green

From National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Essex County Section:

Allison Kofsky of South Orange, NJ was presented with a Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW/Essex Volunteer Award, bestowed to select graduating high school seniors from Essex County who have shown a commitment to making life better for others locally or globally.

Kofsky, a senior attending Columbia High School, was 15 when she started her own district program called “Playground Pals” to aid and spread awareness of children impacted by Selective Mutism (SM). The inspiration behind this program was generated from someone she knew battling SM, a rare childhood anxiety disorder that hinders people’s ability to vocalize in various settings. “Playground Pals assists children struggling with Selective Mutism with feeling included and less isolated during their lunch and recess periods. It quite literally, provides a voice to the voiceless,” she says proudly.

Winners of the Nancy and Robert Eskow Volunteer Award reflect the mission and values of NCJW/Essex through their commitment and dedication to community service projects and advocacy experience during their high school careers. In recognition of his exemplary contribution, Kofsky received a $500 scholarship and an award certificate from NCJW/Essex.

About National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.  With more than 3,200 members, Essex County Section is the largest of the more than 100 NCJW Sections around the country. The Section was founded in 1912 and maintains offices in Livingston, N.J. For more information, log on to www.ncjwessex.org