Alessandra Pappalardi, Trumbull '27

My name is Alessandra Pappalardi, and I am a first-generation low-income student on a Questbridge scholarship. This summer, I am working at the Center for Family Justice. I chose to take on a high occupational workload this past year to save up money for a summer role that, like many in community service, would be without financial compensation – especially given the competitiveness of Yale fellowships and the volume of applicants for each. In the end, I was lucky enough to be granted the Yawkey Community Service Award. I was one of only 6 students to receive this opportunity. Why must it be so hard for FGLI students to be able to work in community service? Yale has the resources to fund community service jobs for first-generation low-income students – why should we have to fight for the funds to survive while serving our communities? I'm supporting Norah Laughter for Ward 1 because students need someone who will call on Yale to fully fund programs on campus and in New Haven.