Samantha Wettje, of Bardonia, has been chosen as one of ten 2023 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth for her nonprofit efforts.

She started the 16 Strong Project with her mom to help kids with adverse childhood experiences before mental health challenges and substance abuse develop.

The group is also for young people who live with a parent that battles mental illness and addiction.

"I mentioned before how personal this is to me so to be able to have, to win this award, and have it allow us to help more young people, is beyond anything I could ever imagine," says Wettje.

L'Oréal Paris says that as a winner, she will have a business mentor, more visibility through the brand, and will receive $25,000.