Graduate School
Boston University School of Social Work

Undergraduate School
Lehigh University

Mentor
Tech Leng, Director, Planning and Community Development, City of Revere, Rappaport Institute Advisory Board Member and former Rappaport Public Policy Fellow and Tariana Little, CEO and Cofounder, EmVision Productions and former Rappaport Public Policy Fellow

Agency
Mayor’s Office of Food Access, Boston

Supervisor
Catalina Prada Valderrama, Outreach and Communications Director

Description of Fellowship
Amy worked with the Mayor’s Office of Food Access to promote food security in the Boston area and beyond. Specifically, Amy addressed underutilization of food-assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She conducted stakeholder interviews to understand the extent of and barriers to program utilization, and analyzed the impact of recent policy changes to SNAP and COVID-relief policies on program participation.

In addition, Amy led outreach efforts and offered recommendations to help destigmatize nutritional assistance programs and simplify the application process for residents.