Couple Honored for Helping Teens

Jon and Kathy Tabakman, who for the past five years have accepted runaways and other troubled teens into their home as part of the Interface Cool Home program, were honored Thursday.

The Newbury Park couple were recognized by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks at its 14th annual Wilfred A. Rothschild Youth Leadership Recognition Awards ceremony.

“In the ‘90s, there is so much drug abuse and sexual and physical abuse in families, and it’s sometimes important for these young people to know that it’s not like that everywhere else,” Jon Tabakman said. “The recognition is nice, but it’s something we enjoy doing, and it has a phenomenal impact.”

Four other Conejo Valley residents chosen as finalists for the award were honored during the lunchtime ceremony at Los Robles Greens. The finalists were selected from 29 nominees brought to the attention of the Rotary Club, which asked 405 local organizations for suggestions.

“They should all be commended for their achievements in the community,” said Mayor Judy Lazar, one of more than 100 Conejo Valley leaders, Rotarians and business owners in attendance.

The other finalists were:

* Tyler Clark, a volunteer at Colina Intermediate School who is “the person you always see hard working in the background, making student leaders and coaches look good,” according to Carol Phillips, who nominated him.

* Barbara Funk, a youth director for 16 years at Calvary Community Church and a music specialist at Westlake Hills Elementary School.

* Sandy Hindy, who spearheaded the American Assn. of University Women’s history project on women after hearing her daughter say “only men can be doctors.”

* Lisa Olson, who has persuaded young people to volunteer for such charitable events as building a house with Habitat for Humanity and hosting a basketball game to raise funds for victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The award, created in 1984, honors the memory of Bill Rothschild, a legendary Conejo Valley volunteer who helped launch many of the area’s community organizations and was especially dedicated to youth services.

“I think we are very lucky today to have so many volunteers giving their time to the community,” Janet Rothschild said on behalf of her husband, who died in 1986. “It always makes me proud to be here for this.”