Written By: Audrey Cesar
I applied to the Emerson Fellowship because of my own experience with food insecurity and a deep desire to help combat hunger in the U.S. After graduating, I wasn’t looking for a traditional long-term role, I wanted space to learn, explore, and better understand how I could contribute to the nonprofit and policy world. The Emerson Fellowship stood out because of its two immersive placements in one year, offering room to learn while still figuring out my personal theory of change.
When I learned I’d been placed with Common Threads, I was genuinely excited. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a passion for cooking; especially learning how to do it well on a budget. Common Threads immediately resonated with me because of its mission to make healthy cooking accessible and culturally relevant. While I didn’t come in with formal nutrition experience, I was eager to learn and contribute in a hands-on way.
After relocating from Ohio to Miami, one of Common Threads’ main markets, I found myself adjusting to a new city alongside a new role. At Common Threads, my early weeks focused on onboarding and learning the organization from the inside out. I met with team members across departments to better understand the programs and mission. Stepping into a role so different from my previous experiences was intimidating at first, but with the support of my supervisor and colleagues, I quickly gained confidence.
My primary project focuses on addressing nutrition access for college-aged students by building cooking confidence and food security through Common Threads programming. I began by researching successful models at other nonprofits, reviewing pilot studies, and analyzing national data related to hunger and nutrition in this age group. One guiding question shaped much of this work: What are the barriers to cooking access for college-aged students? Alongside this research, I also contributed to additional projects, from outreach materials to organizing internal recipe resources.
Reflecting on this experience so far, it has been defined by learning, adaptation, and growth. Becoming deeply involved in an organization in a short period can be daunting, but the Common Threads team has been welcoming and supportive throughout. I’ve moved from feeling uncertain to feeling confident and connected to the mission. As I continue this journey, I’m excited to build on this foundation, deepening the research, listening to students, and helping shape programming that makes cooking and nutrition more accessible.
