Over the past 30 years, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has recognized outstanding New Jersey residents whose energy and vision are transforming communities and the lives of countless people statewide. This year, we are shifting the program’s focus to honor members of Gen Z, ages 16-24, who are the next generation of New Jersey changemakers.
This year’s focus recognizes the fresh perspectives and bold approaches today’s young people bring to solving challenges in their communities and in some cases, around the world. We believe that recognizing Gen Z leaders is an investment in the future of New Jersey and beyond. In that vein, we shine the spotlight here on some of the youngest Making a Difference Honorees in recent years.
“For nearly three decades, the Making a Difference Award has honored New Jersey’s unsung heroes…people whose courage and commitment have changed thousands of lives,” said Scott Berrie, vice president of The Russell Berrie Foundation.
“Now we’re turning our attention to the future of giving by elevating young changemakers. My father, Russell Berrie, believed deeply in recognizing those who serve others with purpose and heart. He would be profoundly inspired by the vision, energy, and impact young people are bringing to communities across New Jersey today.”
Gen Z Honorees Who’ve Made a Difference
Julie Flores-Castillo
2025 Honoree
Advocating for Immigrant Rights
At age 14, Julie, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, experienced a life-altering situation with the immigration system, something she never thought would happen to her. After a school social worker introduced her to a support group for “Dreamers,” she participated in their annual lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., which she says “truly changed the trajectory of my life.” Now 22 years old, Julie draws upon her personal experiences to advocate for immigrant youth and raise awareness of available resources and support as a youth organizer with the American Friends Service Committee.
Riccardo Dale
2024 Honoree
Putting Youth at Risk on the Path to Success
Riccardo was a troubled teenager until mentors stepped forward to help him and change his life’s path for the better. During his sophomore year at Rowan University, Riccardo decided to give back to his community in South Jersey and change the lives of others. He founded Free All Minds Academy (F.A.M.) —a service program for at-risk and underserved youth from 8th grade into adulthood, to help them grow personally and excel academically. Through its preventative programming, personalized guidance, and support, F.A.M. aims to decrease the percentage of young men who become incarcerated and increase the number of young men who are employed and/or college educated.
Trinity Jagdeo
2024 Honoree
Champion for Inclusion
Trinity, who was inspired by her lifelong best friend who has spinal muscular atrophy, founded From We Can’t to We Can when she was just 17. Fueled by her friend’s experiences of being left out by other kids due to her disability as well as the lack of role models in the media, Trinity decided to fill that gap and create representation opportunities that are lacking in the entertainment industry. From We Can’t to We Can is dedicated to increasing the representation and inclusion of young disabled people, depicting them as the superheroes they are through books, events, and empowering photo shoots. The organization also donates new or gently used medical and adaptive equipment to people whose insurance won’t cover it or for whom the items are not readily available.
Mark Leschinsky
2024 Honoree
Showcasing Student Voices Through Film
An award-winning young filmmaker, Mark founded the Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF) when he was 17 years old, to unite young filmmakers from around the world to share their unique stories and ignite positive change. SWIFF is the first student-run film festival and provides a platform for more than 12,000 aspiring filmmakers in 149 countries. The festival—which waives all submission fees to help more creators amplify their diverse voices—empowers a global community of young storytellers ages 10-30 with a worldwide platform for student voices through the power of film, to create a more inclusive, culturally accepting, and equitable society.
Zaniya Lewis
2023 Honoree
Fighting Scholarship Displacement
Zaniya started YesSheCanCampaign as a college freshman to equip young women who are overcoming adversity with the tools and resources to succeed in college and their careers. After experiencing scholarship displacement—in which her college reduced its institutional financial aid because she had been awarded a generous private scholarship – she launched DISSCHOLARED™ to raise awareness and fight the practice at colleges and universities. Zaniya’s advocacy led to legislation in New Jersey in 2021 that prohibits scholarship displacement at the state’s public higher educational institutions, making New Jersey one of five states to ban the practice under most circumstances.
Emma & Quinn Joy
2021 Honorees
Solving Period Poverty
Emma and Quinn are the co-founders of Girls Helping Girls. Period., an organization they created in 2016 to address period poverty, an overlooked and underdiscussed issue facing low-income girls and women. As teenagers, they realized schoolmates were missing school due to lack of hygiene supplies, which are expensive and not covered by assistance programs. They decided to make a difference by advocating and educating others to erase the stigma surrounding menstrual health and help individuals stay in school and at work by providing essential menstrual health items.
Girls Helping Girls. Period. has distributed millions of donated period products to food pantries, social services agencies, and community groups, and offers workshops and consulting on sustainable, affordable menstrual management solutions to individuals, schools, and companies. Their efforts led to Governor Phil Murphy signing a law in 2023 that requires school districts ensure that students in grades six through 12 have direct access to free menstrual products in at least 50% of female and gender-neutral school bathrooms.
Nominate an emerging Gen Z trailblazer
If you teach, mentor, lead a youth program, or work alongside young adults who inspire others, we invite you to nominate a Gen Z standout whose work is already making a making a measurable impact in communities throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Nomination details
THE DEADLINE TO NOMINATE IS FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Nominees must be residents of New Jersey, ages 16-24, and their work must benefit people in New Jersey. They should demonstrate visible, measurable impact in their community, show promise of continued leadership and growth, and have initiated or led a meaningful project or organization in any sector.
The next generation of NJ leaders and innovators will be recognized at our final awards ceremony in May at Ramapo College. They will receive a cash award along with public recognition to advance their mission and grow their leadership profile.
