Emerson Fellow
Amy Matthews
9th Class, 2002-2003
In May 2002, Amy graduated from Xavier University in Ohio where she studied social work and peace studies. Her vision for greater social justice springs from the inequity she has seen at home and abroad. Amy’s experience includes working with homeless families in Cincinnati and in New York and working for an NGO in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Field placement: Arizona Food Bank Network
Phoenix, Arizona
Amy worked to raise Arizona’s low participation rate in the Food Stamp Program by initiating outreach efforts in community organizations, developing materials, conducting trainings, assisting in developing a website for prescreening, and collaborating with the state to improve program access.
Policy placement: Prosperity Now
Washington, D.C.
Amy worked on economic development issues affecting low-income people. She engaged in projects that strengthened the link between Individual Development Accounts and opportunities for microenterprise and establishing credit.