Emerson Fellow: Christina Martinez »

18th Class, 2011-2012

Field Placement: Association of Arizona Food Banks (Phoenix, AZ)

Christina worked to strengthen the relationship between Arizona food banks and the clients they serve. She worked to reduce barriers that Hispanic/Latino residents in Maricopa County face when accessing emergency food services.  She compiled a tool kit that included research, best practices, input from organizations and community leaders, training materials, marketing collateral, and recommendations to address barriers to accessing emergency food services.

Hunger Free Community Report:

Closing the Gap: Enhancing the Client Experience at Food Banks is a toolkit that provides best practices and recommendations to help Food Banks in Arizona ensure their programs and services are inclusive, welcoming and accessible to underserved communities, with a focus on improving the access for Hispanic/Latino clients.

Policy Placement: USDA, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Washington, DC)

Christina is helping to advance the goals of the First Lady’s initiative, Let’s Move! Faith and Communities to reduce childhood obesity levels, and La Mesa Completa, the USDA’s initiative to reduce hunger in Latino communities.  She is building partnerships with community organizations, expanding the initiative’s network, sharing best practices and partner success stories via blogs, and authoring e-newsletters.

Pre-Fellowship Education/Experience:

Originally from Evanston, Illinois, Christina graduated from Tufts University in 2010 with a double major in political science and community health.  At Tufts, Christina served as a leader in her sorority, volunteered with National Student Partnerships, and interned at a local high school. She also participated in service projects addressing homelessness and childhood health issues. Most recently, Christina has worked in youth development at the YMCA, where she served as the director of a resident summer camp and helped form a leadership group for students.

News & Events

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May 1, 2012

At CHC’s June 7, 2012, Congressional Awards Ceremony… Read more we will honor Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Roy Blunt.  We invite

Hunger Center Releases Paper

April 20, 2012

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