Our project is focused on combating food insecurity in New York City, and because each of our projects shares this common goal, we’ve decided to collaborate while integrating our unique priorities. Arianne’s project, DreamsofSTEAM, aims to support students of color, particularly those facing food and housing insecurity, as they pursue education in STEAM fields. Inspired by her experiences as a woman of color from an immigrant background, Arianne is passionate about increasing representation in these fields and helping students focus on their education despite the challenges they face.
Karin has been dedicated to addressing food insecurity since high school, where she volunteered at a Children’s Cafeteria in Tokyo, preparing meals for children in need. She also published research on strategies to improve outreach, presenting her findings to over 3,000 online viewers. At NYU, Karin joined the Give Where You Live International Cohort, where she and her group collaborated with Midnight Run to provide food and clothing to homeless individuals in NYC.
Leila’s project, “home away from home” focuses on offering culturally specific meals to immigrant communities in New York City by partnering with local restaurants and organizations. Through collaborations with local restaurants and businesses in areas like Astoria, Queens, she supports communities such as the Egyptian population, helping to provide meals that address food scarcity while respecting cultural preferences.
Together, we are addressing food insecurity by combining the strengths of our individual projects. One focus of our collective effort is on the intersection of food insecurity and housing, specifically, the challenges faced by homeless students. In NYC, one in nine children lacks stable housing, and many rely on school-provided meals as their primary source of food. Our goal is to find affordable housing solutions and ensure consistent meal access for these vulnerable children.
We also plan to establish a community kitchen that provides economically disadvantaged children with more than just food—it will be a place where they can find belonging, much like a second home. In addition, we aim to introduce children to a variety of international cuisines, fostering cultural appreciation while distributing meals across the city's diverse neighborhoods.
Currently, we are working with local food pantries, raising awareness about food insecurity, and volunteering across the city. By combining our efforts, we hope to create a comprehensive solution that not only addresses immediate hunger but also builds community engagement and cultural appreciation, while advocating for long-term changes in housing and food access for children in NYC.