SCOTCH PLAINS – The JCC of Central New Jersey’s Phyllis Bernstein Kuchner Scholarship was established in honor and memory of longtime JCC member, Board member and volunteer Phyllis Bernstein Kuchner (z”l) by her husband Bob Kuchner.This scholarship is intended to give aspiring volunteers the confidence, springboard and experience to become leaders in Jewish communal service.

Recent recipient, Lauren Lutz-Coleman, decided to put her scholarship award and volunteer service toward a writing workshop for teens in grades 7 to 11 who love to write and are passionate about creating content that reflects their unique life experiences. Ms. Lutz-Coleman is a certificated educator who has taught for more than decade, with experience focused on the intersection ofliteracydevelopmentandeducational technology.

This free workshop, hosted in conjunction withtheJCC,isopentoallteens in the community and will be held at the JCC, 1391 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains. The workshop is on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning October 11 through November 1.

According to Ms. Lutz-Coleman, “Students read and learn better when theyseethemselvesreflectedintheworks they are reading. This workshop will provide teens with the opportunity to write stories that share their experiences. Participating students can opt to enter their stories into educational games designed by Shoelace Learning, a reading comprehension platform, to share their stories with students all over the country.”

During the four weeks of this workshop, students will craft personal stories tohonetheirwritingskillswithguidance from certified educators and experts in journalism, social media, social justice and community advocacy. In addition to Lutz-Coleman, the program facilitators are Lauren Barr, owner and publisher of The Westfield Leader/Union County HAWK, Dr. Leland McGee of Social Justice Matters, Jackie Lieberman, editor of (TAP Into) Westfield, Lisa Bleich and Stephanie Forman, both of College Bound Mentors, and author Debra Feldman.

Any interested students must complete the application form by Sunday, September 24, and expect to hear the decision of their application status in early October.

This free program is made possible through the JCC’s Phyllis Bernstein Kuchner scholarship fund and the generosity of Shoelace Learning. Through this scholarship and her donated time, Ms. Lutz-Coleman will be able to empower and educate teens in our community to create a body of literature that is truly for students, by students.

For more information about applying forthePhyllisBernsteinKuchnerScholarship or supporting this scholarship with a donation, visit www.jccnj.org/ pbkscholarship.