Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Cara graduated from Lafayette College in 2010 where she created an interdisciplinary major: social inequality and identity politics. Cara was a Posse Scholar as well as a 2009 Public Policy International Affairs Fellow. She served as a leader in the alternative school breaks organizations, a resident adviser, and an intern with her school's Office of Intercultural Development.
Field placement: The Food Project
Boston, Massachusetts
Cara evaluated Bounty Bucks, a program that connects farmers markets with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by providing a 100% match up to $10 when recipients use their benefit cards at markets. She also helped teach elementary school students about growing their own food and the importance of local food systems while helping high school students create a documentary on food justice.
Policy placement: Poverty & Race Research Action Council
Washington, D.C.
Cara researched issues related to minimizing displacement during gentrification and best practices for community redevelopment. She also worked on a multimedia project that shared the experiences of low income families who move to communities and schools with low poverty and less racial segregation.