From the Hart of Connecticut

Hello all!  I am Kate Stritzinger.  I grew up in the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, though I spent the last five years in Washington, DC.  I have a BA from American University’s School of International Service where I studied International Development and Sub-Saharan African Studies.  The most formative year of my life was spent studying abroad in Nairobi, Kenya and in Paris, France.  Traveling gave me a very broad world view; I ardently believe that regardless of race, religion, gender, age, socio-economic background or nationality we all deserve equal and equitable access to resources.  I plan to spend my life working to help others help themselves to gain whatever (positive) resources they seek.  I am an eternal optimist, almost always seeing the positive side of life despite my (somewhat snarky) criticism of development efforts.

I am spending my AmeriCorps year at Hands on Hartford where I coordinate volunteers and service learning experiences (with a team of AmeriCorps) for the engagement department as well as Peter’s Retreat, an assisted-living home for almost 30 HIV+ individuals.  The organization as a whole houses a food pantry, soup kitchen and tutoring program.  I hope to gain better organizing skills and to narrow my focus for  future endeavors.

Beyond this year, I plan to study post-conflict international development in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa.  I hope to work with youth refugee readjustment or the development as a whole (probably in food security or youth empowerment.)

Outside of AmeriCorps, I love facilitating team building experiences and running ropes courses.  I am the typical camp counselor-type; always ready to sing a song, go for an adventure or climb the nearest tree.