Name: Mikayla Gordon Wexler
Where do you go to school? Amherst College
Where are you working? End Hunger Connecticut!
Describe yourself in a gif!
What song are you playing on repeat this semester? Redbone by Childish Gambino
What’s your favorite part about being a Youth Ambassador?
I am honored to have the opportunity to work every day with people who are passionate about fighting hunger, and are willing to devote their time and energy to making sure that the children and families of CT do not have to wonder about where their next meal is coming from. I love being able to collaborate with my co-youth ambassador and the other smart, talented, and creative people in our End Hunger CT! office on ways to help spread awareness about Summer Meals Programs. This has made my work this summer both energizing and rewarding.
Why are you passionate about ending hunger?
Food waste is immense in America, yet many children and families go hungry. I believe hunger is not due to a lack of resources, but rather it is an injustice rooted in the systemic inequalities of our country. Raising awareness about hunger and community based solutions, such as summer meals programs, is vital for providing healthy, nutritious food to every individual regardless of who they are or where they live.
What’s one thing you have learned this Summer?
One thing I have learned is that the fight against hunger is a team effort. The most important work my co-intern and I have done this summer has been connected to the work of local community partners. I have realized that nothing grows from the top down. Hunger can only be eradicated when you enable communities to partner with nonprofit organizations like End Hunger CT! and share tools and resources to effect change.
What would you say to someone your age looking to get involved?
I would tell someone my age to focus on their own community. Many times youth who are looking to volunteer forget about the people who might be hungry or in-need of support right in their own neighborhood. It is important to realize that hunger exists everywhere and that we need creative teen and young adult partners to help conceive the most effective ways to make sure their communities are getting the resources they need.
If you could tell the world one thing about hunger, what would you say?
I would say that in a world full of plenty, close to 50 million Americans, including 13 million children, still struggle to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis. Nearly 50 million Americans still need our help to make sure they never have to go another day hungry.
