Emerson Fellow: Kyle Dechant »
17th Class, 2010-2011
Field Placement: Philadelphia Grow Project/Witnesses to Hunger (Philadelphia, PA)
Kyle researched financial and asset-building initiatives aimed at alleviating hunger in local communities – primarily focused on the development of a feasibility report on launching a microfinance and public assistance initiative for low-income women and mothers in Philadelphia. He interviewed women in the community to research the day-to-day financial struggles of those living in poverty and organized partnerships between asset-building and anti-hunger organizations in the region.
Hunger Free Community Report:
Microfinance to Improve Child Health: The feasibility of peer-group microlending to create a healthy, hunger-free community assesses the feasibility of peer-group microlending initiatives for women who receive public benefits in Philadelphia.
Policy Placement: The Alliance to End Hunger (Washington, DC)
Kyle assisted with the development of the National Hunger-Free Communities Network, which facilitates the exchange of ideas and resources among state and local anti-hunger coalitions. In addition, he contributed to the Alliance’s communications efforts and supported Ambassador Tony Hall’s hunger-fast through outreach efforts to colleges and universities.
Pre-Fellowship Education and Experience:
Originally from Franklin, Pennsylvania, Kyle graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College in 2009 with a degree in international relations and a certificate in human needs and global resources. He worked as a teaching and research assistant for the political science department, volunteered as an ESL tutor for refugees, and interned for six months with a local Malian development organization where he conducted research on community capacity building in rural villages. After graduating, Kyle volunteered at a café and training center in northern Uganda.
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