‘A very impactful young man’

Christian Jackson was a young man who lived with many challenges due to Prader-Willi syndrome. Despite that, he made an impact through his involvement in Creative Change Counseling.

“Christian had lots of challenges throughout his life,” said Brittnee Smith, director of marketing at Creative Change, where Jackson had counseling. “He … struggled with some cognitive delays, but his perspective on life was second to none, and he was a great big brother.

“The energy that he brought into a room was incredible, and he was just a very, very impactful young man.”

Prader-Willi, according to the National Library of Medicine, is a rare genetic condition that affects a child’s metabolism and can also impact behavior. Victims have large appetites and often don’t feel full after meals. Supportive therapies and diet management help treat the syndrome and prevent complications that can affect a child’s health.

Creative Change Counseling is a nonprofit that provides mental and behavioral health services in New Jersey – including in Delran, Lumberton and Southampton – and in Delaware and North Carolina. It also treats individuals struggling with mild to severe emotional; psychological; behavioral; and substance abuse challenges, according to its website.

Jackson died in 2022 and Creative Change created the first college scholarships in his name for graduating high-school seniors. Each $5,000 award has its own set of requirements and opportunities for students to showcase their educational potential as they embody Jackson’s spirit of perseverance and hope.

Smith is the head of fundraising on the scholarship committee. A banquet was held in June at Creative Change Counseling’s Delran office, where six students were awarded, including Dylan Cotter, who will attend Muhlenberg College in the fall and was recognized in the category of philanthropy, and Dante Khan, who will attend Temple University and was cited in the category of outstanding GPA.

Recognized in the impactful category were Brian Garrabrant, who will attend Georgetown University in the fall; Ally Townsend, who will head to Rowan University; Franchesca Viso, who will attend The College of New Jersey; and Marvin Duke, who will head to North Carolina State University.

Each student exemplified dedication and promise in their academic pursuits, according to the Creative Change Counseling website, which described the banquet as one marked by inspiring speeches, memorable moments, and a shared commitment to nurturing educational opportunities.

Jackson often attended the organization’s annual Olympic Day and was instrumental in bringing to it his favorite sport of football.

“Finally, when we said we didn’t have a football for the eighth time, he said, ‘It’s your responsibility to make sure that we have a good time,'” Smith recalled of Jackson. “And that comment really resonated and struck a chord in the hearts of our executive leaders …

“(It) had a bigger meaning than what he was saying in that moment.”

Creative Change hosted last month’s Olympics Day at Mill Creek Park in Willingboro, where football was included on the list of activities.