Pacific Palisades Woman Honored at Beverly Hills Awards Luncheon Sponsored by A Place Called Home (APCH)

April Freitag, a long-time resident of the Pacific Palisades, was one of four impressive Southland women recognized for their outstanding civic, community and professional achievements at the 10thannual GirlPower luncheon sponsored by A Place Called Home (APCH), which provides a safe haven of opportunity for underserved youth in South Central Los Angeles. The event, which attracted several hundred attendees, was held yesterday in the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton hotel.

“Inspiring young people to become the best they can be is one of our primary missions at APCH,” said Jonathan Zeichner, the organization’s executive director. “It’s therefore a privilege to be able to honor these four women whose personal lives and career paths provide inspiration to the young women and girls served by our programs, specifically those enrolled in GirlPower.” In addition to Freitag, those honored at the luncheon, which was preceded by a reception and exclusive boutique, were Jackie Lacey, who received the organization’s Community Impact Award, Marisela Nuño, recipient of the APCH Social Entrepreneur Award and Amber Riley, who received the GirlPower Children’s Inspiration Award.

April Freitag, who received the GirlPower Humanitarian Award, is a passionate global humanitarian and founder of Community Connect Effect, an organization that connects teenagers with local and world-wide service organizations. She also serves on the board of Learning Through Reading, an organization that seeks to combat illiteracy in developing countries, as well as actively participates with the Aegis Trust focusing on global genocide education programs. As part of her commitment to world peace and justice, Freitag and her two teenage daughters, Siena and Sloan, travel annually to volunteer in orphanages and schools around the globe. Freitag has enjoyed a highly successful career in advertising and publishing, including serving as West Coast Advertising Director for Seventeen and Teen magazines. “We’re delighted to be able to honor April for her work both internationally and with our young people at APCH,” Zeichner said.

Proceeds from both the luncheon and boutique go towards supporting a wide range of APCH programs, including its GirlPower Project. Sixteen young women from the Project participated in the luncheon program, some sharing a snapshot of how their lives have been changed by their involvement with APCH. “In addition to allowing us to recognize our outstanding honorees, the luncheon provides us with an opportunity to celebrate a special group of inner-city teens who are learning and growing into strong young women leading the way for others,” Zeichner concluded.