Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maeMXVuiorE&list=PLOQvdw7d0cd9RZZkd2lZy2hmrnJv-cfLI&index=71
Evan: So we are back here on the Choose Nine Five Four podcast episode 30 with my dear friend Dr. Jenny Trofeo from the Southside Cultural Arts and Cultural Center here in downtown Fort Lauderdale, right next to Hardy Park, off Andrews Avenue. If you didn’t know about Choose 954, we started a social movement to cultivate culture and community here in Broward County, where I’m from, in an effort to keep you guys in the know with all the great things that are going on within the arts, culture, and community. The point of the podcast is to connect you with incredible people like her, doing amazing things in the community. We have quite a few things to tell you about, but without much further ado, Jenny, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Dr. Jennie: So my name is Stephanie, and I’m an occupational therapist and educator. I’ve been working with children and families for over 15 years, and I’m passionate about helping people connect and engage meaningfully.
Evan: That’s amazing! So you’re involved in a lot of things, but tell us more about the event you have coming up.
Dr. Jennie: So on April 2nd, we’re having a “Connect and Play” event for World Autism Day, a celebration right here at Southside Cultural Arts Center. It’s going to be a place where everyone comes together to celebrate. We’ll have activities, arts, music—everything!
Evan: Sounds fantastic! What got you started in occupational therapy?
Dr. Jennie: Well, I’m an occupational therapist, and I work a lot with individuals and families, teaching them how to interact with their kids in ways that foster meaningful interaction. I also work with schools, helping teachers understand the importance of sensory needs and how to support children better. I’m also a professional speaker, and recently, I’ve been doing a lot of work with families, bringing them together for fun, meaningful events like field trips and community-building activities.
Evan: That’s such important work. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about the “why” behind what you do?
Host: I started working with kids early on and realized that so much of their progress happens through play and connection. There’s so much magic that happens when people step out of their routines and engage with others. I’ve always been passionate about helping people overcome barriers, and I saw firsthand how impactful play can be, especially for kids with autism. So I dedicated myself to finding ways to bring families and communities together to connect in meaningful ways.
Evan: I love that! You’ve built such a strong foundation in education, too. Can you share a bit about that?
Dr. Jennie: Sure! I went to the University of Miami for undergrad, then I went back to get my master’s, and eventually pursued my doctorate. My focus has always been on how to create meaningful learning experiences for kids and how to help families engage with their children in new and creative ways.
Evan: That’s incredible. So, how do you integrate arts and culture into your work with the community?
Dr. Jennie: I feel that learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people come together. I’ve always believed that progress happens in the real world, not just behind closed doors. We’re lucky to live in such a vibrant city with so many resources and opportunities for connection, so I try to create environments where families and children can interact with each other and the community in fun and engaging ways.
Evan: You’ve been such a powerful advocate for this. I remember meeting you at the panel discussion we hosted about arts, culture, and the creative economy. That was a pivotal conversation.
Dr. Jennie: Yes, that discussion really opened my eyes to how much overlap there is between arts, culture, and what I do in the world of autism education. It was inspiring to hear from so many leaders in the arts and culture space about how they’re using creativity to foster community growth. That event really got me thinking about how I could integrate more of that into my work.
Evan: Absolutely. And we’re going to be hosting another one of those discussions soon, probably in May, and we hope everyone can join us.
Dr. Jennie: Yes! I think it’s so important to keep having these conversations and exploring how the arts contribute to the overall well-being of our community. It’s all interconnected.
Evan: It really is. So, how has your involvement in the community evolved since that panel?
Dr. Jennie: Well, it’s opened up so many new opportunities for me to collaborate with other like-minded people. I’ve seen firsthand how much impact we can have when we come together and share our passions.
Evan: Very well said. So, where can people find you on social media?
Dr. Jennie: I’m on Instagram at @drjennytrofeo. My organization’s page is @autismadvocateandplaysolutions. You can also find me on LinkedIn or through my website, autismadvocateplaysolutions.org.
Evan: And the event page for your upcoming event?
Dr. Jennie: The event page is bit.ly/connectandplay2019. We’re also sharing it on the Choose 954 Facebook page, so people can find it there as well.
Evan: Perfect. So, if you have friends, family, or anyone in your community who would benefit from attending, please share the event with them. It’s going to be a fantastic day of fun and connection.
Dr. Jennie: Yes, and we’re really looking forward to it!
Evan: Absolutely. Before we wrap up, I just want to mention a few other things we have coming up. We’re also participating in an Earth Day beach cleanup with Patrick Fetscher from Celebration of the Seas and Barry Levitt’s Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep on April 22nd at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort. If all goes well, we might even be deploying our first Thousand Mermaids artificial reef modules on that day.
Dr. Jennie: That sounds amazing!
Evan: It’s going to be great. So, to everyone listening, don’t forget to follow Dr. Jenny, check out her event on April 2nd, and come out and support the amazing work she’s doing in the community.
Dr. Jennie: Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a pleasure.
Evan: Thank you for joining us!
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