MCH is fortunate to partner with individuals for an internship, and this fall we have two! Join us in welcoming Carmel San Juan and Noah Greenfield to MCH this semester.
A note from Carmel:
Hello! I’m Carmel San Juan, a fourth-year student at the University of Minnesota designing my own major around Public Health, Sociology, and Nursing (with a minor in Leadership). In the near future, it is my hope to attain my master’s of public health with a focus on health policy, for I am passionate about fighting to reach health equity for all communities! Outside of being a student, I also enjoy dancing and being a part of my Filipino community on campus, as well as creating art through painting and writing poetry!
I’m thrilled to be an intern for MCH this year, for advocating to improve Minnesota’s housing, especially for those who’ve lost their homes, is an issue that I deeply care about. When asked about the meaning of “home,” I can say that it is a place where I can grow and form community with the people I love. This meaning is specific to me, and it is my hope that others reach their meaning of “home” as well throughout my time here in this internship and beyond. Thanks again to MCH for welcoming me here, and I can’t wait to get started on some great work!
A note from Noah:
This quote from Vince Lombardi sums up my life so far: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up”. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I have chosen not to let those mistakes define me, and they have made me a stronger and better person. I come from a small town in Northern Iowa, and was raised by only my mother. I believe that I can be the one to lift my family out of poverty, so I pursue opportunities that will add to my success. I seek out the insights and knowledge that will help me on my goal to represent the great State of Minnesota as a Senator.
I think that amazing things can be done with small groups of people, and meeting young people who are just as passionate as me could light a spark in us that could mean shaping policy for the future and creating a better world. I honestly believe that there is no limit to what we can do.
I have a sincere interest in pursuing a career in public service that drives me to take action. As a Leader for Equity, Action and Democracy, Augsburg’s Bonner Leaders Program, I have worked for Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha managing communications for events in support of low wage workers in Minneapolis. My work with the Humanist Center focused on surveying religiously unaffiliated Millennials to learn more about where they find community, what their values are, and how they’re civically engaged. I am also a member of the Sabo Scholars cohort, ten students who work together in a year-long seminar in which we study public policy and politics and explore careers in public service. At Augsburg University, I have served on the undergraduate student government as a senator, and serving as the student representative on University’s Diversity, Inclusion, Equity Committee. Balancing his involvement in campus governance, his engagement in the broader community, and his academic work is something that I do ably and with good humor. I eagerly go after opportunities to develop my public skills any chance that I get.
Now that I am with HECUA and interning here at Minnesota’s Coalition for the Homeless, I am looking forward to working with all of you and learning so much about homelessness in Minnesota. I am hoping that with all that I learn, I can also contribute to the great work that is already being done here.
