Gabriella Cooperman, 16, of Highland Park, has been named a recipient of the Helen Diller Family Foundation’s annual Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards.

Now in its 11th year, the national awards recognize young entrepreneurs who are committed to establishing methods for social change that address the most urgent and pressing challenges in the communities around them. This year’s awards recipients are working across the globe to address issues from health advocacy for those with disabilities and health education in developing countries, to de-stigmatizing illnesses such as diabetes and providing therapeutic resources for children and families with special needs.

When Cooperman saw how therapeutic horse-riding was for her sister who has special needs, she came up with the idea that sparked Cookies for Charity , a large-scale lemonade and cookie stand. All of the profits from Cookies for Charity go to a local non-profit therapeutic horseback riding center in Lake Forest called the Equestrian Connection. In 11 years, over $130,000 has been raised, with sponsorship from 21 organizations.

Cookies for Charity carves out a pathway for those who want to help repair the world but have no idea where to start, while aiding in de-stigmatizing children with special needs. Cooperman plans to continue to grow Cookies for Charity and further her mission to make an impact on the world.

Cooperman and the other 14 awardees will receive $36,000 in support of their philanthropic vision or to further their education. Full descriptions of all 15 recipients and their projects can be found at: www.dillerteenawards.org .