HEALTH

Juliette Jacobson knows how to do a mind—and body—good. The 16-year-old fitness guru is not only an awesome athlete, she's the founder of the POE Student Ambassador program, an organization created in partnership with POE fitness studio to "mentor students from the community and promote leadership skills." 

At the first Student Ambassador event, held Jan. 30, Juliette encouraged her fellow students to bring in a new or gently used coat for an organization called Homeless Solutions in exchange for a 50-minute spin class. 

"It's getting so cold, and right now the homeless are really in need," she said. "And working with local charities, I can definitely see the change we're making."

Though her mom is the founder of POE, Juliette had not always interested in fitness. "In the past year, I've really upped my physical activity and it's helped me mentally and physically," she said.

Now, she's ready to use her newfound passion for good. "Giving back gives me a sense of purpose," she says. "If I'm just here, I'm just living and not doing anything for other people, it's sort of selfish. When I really think about how many people are in need, it makes me want to work hard to make conditions better for them."

Juliette hopes her program will continue to spread around New Jersey and eventually the whole country, but for now, she's focusing her efforts on her community.

"I feel really grateful that I can make a difference," she says. "It's inspiring."

 Image source: POE

How do you make a difference in your community, GL girls?

by Montez Jennings and Kimberly Uslin | 2/9/2016