A Bridgeport dance instructor is being recognized for her mentorship of young people in the community.

Karie Jackson, 24, has brought the New Creation Step Team to several regional titles over the years.

She says the dance team has given her a platform to help keep children and teenagers off the streets.

"Some of them are not really fast learners, some of them probably come in and they have issues with confidence," Jackson says. "So when I see them open up and change, it really does touch me in a wonderful way."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Jackson enables young people to achieve their pull potential more than they thought they could.

He says that what the 24-year-old dance instructor does is "absolutely stunning and inspiring," and that Jackson is a "powerful force for good in the community."