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    Elizabeth Vanasdale

    February 10, 2015

    As a community, we upheld the values of community, faith, social justice, and simple living.

    In her senior year, Elizabeth accepted a position at the Public Justice Center in Baltimore, Md., as a legal assistant for the Human Right to Housing project, as part of a year of service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corp (JVC). She pursued paralegal certification from George Mason University and she plans to apply to graduate school in public policy and economic development. She interested especially in programs with a concentration in food security that focuses on food deserts and sustainable agriculture.

    “We were to embark that year (of service through the JVC) on many challenges that went along with living in solidarity with the poor. As a community, we upheld the values of community, faith, social justice, and simple living. My ‘safety’ choice began to change the way I perceived the world as I learned in depth about the social structures that shaped society and affected the people in it. As a legal assistant, I worked exclusively on tenants in foreclosure and tenants in rent court cases. The individual faces that I encountered deeply inspired my research and assistance on housing policy during the Maryland legislative session where I worked on an income discrimination bill called the Home Act. These personal experiences – coupled with what I learned of racism, classism, and economic justice at Le Moyne – truly intensified what I wanted to fight for. Despite my unconventional path, I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences that I have had and if I could give myself advice as a college senior I would stress do not become discouraged if something doesn't go your way and be brave enough to take on challenges and experiences that you otherwise wouldn't take.”