Community is the focal point for my passions of music and food. Through my major and two student-led groups I have developed skills to work effectively in a variety of communities. It is crucial that I support and amplify community member voices, rather than direct them. At the bedrock of any healthy society is a healthy and active community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Through my major, CEP, I engaged in two meaningful and student-led projects based in two, very real communities in the Seattle Area. The first project (left) was the assessment of a contentious pedestrian overpass based in the new Mt. Baker hub over MLK Blvd. This gave me a chance to engage with a rapidly changing neighborhood and look critically at pedestrian infrastructure. The other project (right) was in tandem with the City of Auburn. I was part of a 5-student team that worked to create a connectivity element for the city plan proposing connective strategies for social capitol, infrastructure, and local economy. We conducted over 50 surveys and numerous city-wide assessments (such as walks around the block and attending community events) to produce a citizen oriented plan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UW GlobeMed Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) Presentation and Re-Partnership In 2015-16 I lead a group of 3 other GlobeMed members to assess our partnership with the MINDS Foundation based in Gujarat and to learn invaluable skills on running a grassroots health organization.
During our time with MINDS, the GROW team and I decided that the MINDS foundation could not healthily sustain a partnership with UW GlobeMed. So, while in India, I lead our chapter's de-partnership and re-partnership process with MINDS. It was an incredibly complex and difficult decision, and below is an email the GROW team and I crafted and sent to the CEO of MINDS (R). This is an idea of the depth the team went to make the best decision for both partners.
In 2017 2 other GlobeMed members and I taught a class about 'on the ground' global mental health and the MINDS foundation (L). Check out our GROW team blog for stories!