January 2024 Alumni Spotlight

In our first alumni spotlight of 2024, Gabriela Lopez-Castillo who is now an IGNITE National New York Fellow tells us about her work at the Office of the Mayor, her experience as a Youth Advisory Council member, and more.

Tell us about your Fellowship at the Office of the Mayor. Can you talk about some of your projects or notable contributions?
My fellowship at the Office of the Mayor was an incredibly formative experience. Working at a Deputy Mayor’s office allowed me the privilege of working with multiple offices and initiatives, giving me a “birds eye view” as my supervisor once stated, of city government. I was able to be involved in several initiatives surrounding the incoming asylum seekers in New York City, and worked with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City on fundraising initiatives, public + private partnership meetings, and assisting in organizing donation campaigns from companies interested in supporting NYC’s relief efforts. I was able to visit Port Authority to volunteer and speak with city agencies on the ground as well.

I also had the pleasure of working with a brand new office: the Mayor’s Office for NonProfit Services, and was able to join several projects that are focused on improving the relationship that NYC has with their nonprofit’s, from thank you events at Gracie Mansion to webinars educating organizations and companies of the various programs being created to assist asylum seekers living in New York.

A large portion of my placement requirements centered on youth initiatives, and as a result, I was tasked with assisting on several projects for the Department of Youth and Community Development. I was able to assist with the design of apprenticeship programs for the DOE, and track employer engagement initiatives with DYCD.

I was on assignment at DYCD to lead the creation of a promotional campaign for Summer Youth Employment’s 60 Anniversary, which sprouted from a suggestion in a zoom call! It was amazing to have the opportunity to bring my own ideas to life on a large scale, and it feels like the fellowship came full circle.

What was your experience like as a Marxe BSPA student?
I had a wonderful experience as a Marxe BSPA student. I only wish it lasted longer, (my senior year was limited to remote learning in 2020). There is an abundance of resources for Marxe students, and my professors possessed equal amounts of knowledge and passion that inspire me to this day. I found out about the Urban Fellows program through the Marxe school, so it’s safe to say I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for this program if not for the confidence that this school gave me.

What did you do as a Youth Advisory Council member?
I’m no stranger to service. All through high school and college, I worked at my local food pantry serving community members in need of immediate service whether it was groceries, clothing, or menstrual products. In 2020, the nonprofit Period (which focuses on eradicating period poverty and stigma) created the YAC, a governance committee tasked with supporting the work of Period, by providing insight and advice to Period’s programs and strategy. After working in the menstrual equity space in a limited space, I was excited at the prospect of deepening my involvement and understanding in the Menstrual movement, and pushing to eradicate period poverty with the help of an entire organization. As a YAC member, I was able to speak on panels, host webinars, give interviews with several media outlets, and appear on live interviews with amazing figures, including a former Miss Universe. I’m most proud of the confidence and growth that my experience gave me, and with it, I was able to host two period drives in South Brooklyn that raised over $8,000 in menstrual products for anyone who needed them! It was an incredible experience!

What’s next for you?
It feels as though my life is constantly planned out years in advance, since I’m never at a loss for what to do next! I’ve been accepted as a fellow for the organization IGNITE for the 2023-2024 year. I’ll be working across New York State in support of their college programs, which work to mobilize students in colleges to become civically and politically engaged. I’m almost excited to share that I’ll be heading to Tufts University come Fall 2024, where I’ve been accepted in their Masters of Law and Diplomacy program.

It’s been an honor to serve as an Urban Fellow, but I can’t wait for what’s next!