By Julia Train
The 2023 Absecon Citizen of the Year Award was recently announced by the Absecon Republican Club. The 18th recipient is 24-year-old Jacob Hackett.
The prestigious, nonpartisan award is given to an individual who has made a major contribution to the City of Absecon and the Atlantic County area. Hackett, who has cerebral palsy, is a strong advocate for disability rights throughout Absecon, Atlantic County and the State of New Jersey.
He’s been an active member in his hometown for as long as he can remember by volunteering in the Methodist church and with local nonprofits. Hackett is the social media assistant for FACES 4 Autism. He also posts on social media and coordinates volunteers for the South Jersey Field of Dreams in Absecon, which his family started.
Besides his volunteer work, Hackett tirelessly advocates and secures access for disabled citizens. On multiple occasions, he’s brought inaccessible buildings and transportation to the attention of councilmen.
A point he often tries to show others is that it’s important to be persistent with council people when trying to make changes for accessibility because they need to be reminded since they have a lot on their plates.
“Even though you might not get something right away, remain positive and be persistent,” said Hackett. “Just because I have a disability, it doesn’t stop me from what I want to do.”
He also says that if you see something wrong, step up and talk to those council people in local communities.
On Dec. 15, Hackett’s mother sent him an email asking him to send an updated resume. Assuming it was for a job that someone wanted to hire him for, he didn’t think much of it.
However, shortly after Christmas, the individual who’s in charge of the Absecon Citizen of the Year Award, whom he’s known for years through church, called him to let him know he was voted in.
“Just to have this backing from the community and the organizations I’ve worked for means so much,” said Hackett. “People in the community are seeing what I’m doing, and I’m being praised for my efforts. It’s given me a deeper sense of meaning and being grateful for what I have.”
There will be a dinner honoring Hackett on Monday, Jan 22, 2024 at Villa Rifici on E. White Horse Pike in Absecon.
Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies. At school, she writes and copy edits for The Rider News and is the News Director for the radio station, producing news updates. She’ll be graduating in the spring. Connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
