Community Change Agents

Eric Goldfischer ’13 (Philadelphia) is equally enthusiastic about putting theory into practice. The American studies major spent his summer working on suburban homelessness issues for Hearth Connection, a nonprofit that acts as intermediary between government and supportive housing providers to end homelessness in Minnesota.  

“Homelessness is considered mostly an urban problem, but it actually exists in the suburbs and is increasing there,” he says. “I’ve always been really passionate about this issue… it’s one of the most drastic, visible, and painful injustices in America, but it’s also addressable. This is something I feel called to do.”  

Ezequiel Jimenez ’13 (Salta, Argentina)found  meaning in his summer work, in his case for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. That group gives free legal advice to people dealing with immigration problems, many of them native Spanish speakers like Jimenez. The political science and international studies major is reorganized an internship program for the nonprofit, in which interns will work with people being held in detention. 

“The Chuck Green fellowship is truly a signature program of Macalester,” he says. “It gives you a chance to leave the college bubble and see how the real world works. In class the theory seems abstract, but the internship makes it real.” 

Goldfischer adds, “Macalester is really putting their money where their mouth is with this. We’re one of the most civically engaged colleges in the country and this program shows it—we’re providing opportunities to people who can make real change in the community, who can make a very thoughtful impact on the Twin Cities.”

Jimenez is part of Macalester’s Davis United World College Scholars.