Meet Semester For Impact Fellow, Suzie Scharff
What is a Semester for Impact Fellowship?
“Semester for Impact is a program through the College for Social Innovation, who also run the Semester in the City program. Semester for Impact is just starting out, as this is only the second semester. However, it operates in a much similar way to Semester in the City, only it allows students to live on or around the campus of the university they are attending. This fellowship allows students to have a nearly full-time internship during the semester and get a full semester of course credit. In addition to all the skills I will be learning, and the project I will complete, I will also leave the program as an AmeriCorp alumni.”
Learn more about the Semester for Impact Program at: https://collegeforsocialinnovation.org/sfioverview
Why did you want to work at The Freedom Cafe?
“I have wanted to be involved with the Freedom Cafe since the moment I walked in, met Bryan, and learned about the mission nearly two years ago. I didn’t know much about human trafficking, other than it is all over our supply chain. Hearing about it happening here in NH, specifically in Durham, made me want to do something about it. Unfortunately, I was so busy with school and work that I wasn’t able to get involved further than making this my go-to cafe and attending Fall Fest. Being asked if I would want to work at the cafe this semester felt sort of kismet and was a way for me to get involved with something that I had been interested in for so long.”
Project Goals
”One of the reasons I am so stoked to be working at the cafe this semester is because I get to work on this project for them. As a part of my fellowship, I am helping to create a resource guide that will help consumers know the places on the seacoast that are offering ethically made, sustainable products. This will help our customers shop more consciously outside of their experience here at the cafe. I aim to create a rubric to assess local businesses so that this project can be expanded once my time is over. I am excited to be working on a project that will not only influence the way people from the seacoast shop, but perhaps how businesses operate. This will create a benchmark for businesses to strive for, and help with conscious consumption across the seacoast.”
What does conscious consuming mean to you?
“Conscious consuming, to me, means understanding the journey a product went through to get in front of you. This means understanding who made the product, under what conditions, how this product's production impacts the local environment, etc. When I buy a product, I want to make sure I understand the social and environmental impacts this product can have.”
What is your favorite food and/or drink item at the cafe?
“I am a sucker for an iced lychee tea with lemonade and a lemon and sugar crepe!”