Emerson Fellow
Thomas Furstenberg-Carroll
18th Class, 2011-2012
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tom graduated from Northeastern University in 2009 with a degree in economics. He then worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA providing free income tax preparation services for low income Philadelphians through a volunteer income tax (VITA) organization. He later served as a New York State AmeriCorps member in Brooklyn, New York, where he helped low-income individuals and families access essential public benefits and financial education and managed the organization’s VITA site.
Field placement: City Harvest
New York, New York
Tom led the resident surveys component of City Harvest’s community food assessment of the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods in New York City. He designed, conducted, and analyzed resident surveys, and supported the food retail assessments. The community food assessment is designed to help City Harvest better understand the needs of residents and shape its programming decisions in these communities.
Policy placement: Food Research & Action Center
Washington, D.C.
Tom researched the implementation of Disaster SNAP, compiled best practices, and updated FRAC’s Advocate’s Guide to Disaster SNAP. He also wrote briefs on best practices for SNAP access and monitored legislation surrounding the SNAP program in the 2012 Farm Bill.