Coffman headshot

Emerson Fellow

David Coffman

13th Class, 2006-2007

David has a BA in Sustainable Development from Kentucky’s Berea College where he served as a Bonner Scholar for four years.  His extensive service included leading fellow students through service activities and providing training on poverty and hunger issues in the U.S.  For his senior capstone project he studied sustainable communities and race relations in Brazil.  

Field placement: Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

David created a disaster preparedness manual to help the Food Bank in its ongoing efforts to transition from disaster relief to disaster recovery.  Using GIS technology, David mapped out the emergency food distribution agencies in the food bank's 23 parish service area before and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  He also worked to recruit new food bank member agencies in order to begin the process of rebuilding the emergency food network.

Policy placement: National Coalition for the Homeless

Washington, D.C.

David chronicled hate crimes and civil rights abuses against the homeless as part of the National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project.  He helped prepare an interim report on the "20 Meanest Cities," aimed at educating the public about hate crimes.  David also worked on the "You Don't Need a Home to Vote" homeless voters’ rights campaign.

Publications