West Greenwich Teen Santana Roberts Honored Nationally for Community Service

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

While other teens might be more concerned with the latest trends, actress, singer and West Greenwich teenager Santana Roberts focuses on philanthropy, a quality recently recognized by the national organization Foundation of Social Change. “[They] found me through My Purpose Party™ efforts,” says Roberts. Orchestrated by Roberts, September’s My Purpose Party™, held at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, was a concert that featured Grammy Award Winner Patti Austin and benefited the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Exeter/West Greenwich food pantries (GoLocalProv previewed the event here).

Close to Home

“I believe change should start locally,” explains Roberts, a young lady seemingly wise beyond her 16 years. “We all have a special talent that can be given to make a difference.” Roberts said the idea of people in her own community going hungry was unacceptable, especially after she did some research and found that there were more people classified as “food insecure,” than she thought. “Families not having enough food to provide for their children is a horrible reality that so many families have to face, especially during these hard economic times. As for the farmers, I love their fresh food that they bring to the Farmer's Markets and the natural, healthy feeling it brings me.” Roberts married the food bank’s needs with the spoils of local farms to create Locally Grown, Locally Given, with a mission to end hunger. “Also, Farmer's Markets accept SNAP cards, so low income families have more access to fresh food,” she explains.

First Teen to Receive Prestigious Award

Roberts headed to New York City to accept the Young Leader for Change award, which both humbled and excited her. “It was amazing,” she says. “When I got to the conference, I walked in the room and there must have been 20 rows of people all typing away on their laptops about the speaker on stage…My family and I sat in the very first row, while my 13-year-old brother shadowed the professional photographers the entirety of the conference. I was the last speaker to present. I was shaking with nerves but also really excited to show everyone my passion and what I have been working on.” CEO’s from Nike, Stony Field Yogurt, Dow Chemical, and DoSomething.org listened to the young Rhode Islander’s message, and Roberts also performed for the gathering.

Looking forward, Roberts said her plans for the future plans include organizing more fundraisers to benefit those in need and to develop Locally Grown, Locally Given into a nonprofit organization. Roberts adds that any individual, business, college, or artist who would like to join her in her mission can email her at [email protected]