From a young age, senior Melissa Epstein was determined to create change. She thought service was “the only thing that ever made sense.” Service, therefore, has been at the top of her mind since arriving at the George Washington University in fall 2021.
The senior studying human service and social justice with minors in criminal justice and international affairs moved to D.C. with the goal of making a difference in social justice work through GW.
GW suited her passion in the city's heart while at the same time providing real-life opportunities to get actively involved with people. Through classwork and involvement in the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, she thought she could learn about how to have a multidisciplinary approach to tackling social issues such as serving unhoused individuals. This approach to social justice keeps her driving forward in her career to “break the bubble” since social justice work is extremely important and especially interdisciplinary.
As Epstein put it, becoming involved in the Nashman Center as a course guide in the Community Engaged Scholarship program was the perfect opportunity to learn more about her role in the world and “work toward more equity.” At the core of all of Epstein’s work, she has been determined to champion intersectionality.
“I’m committed to serving various causes and communities worldwide,” Epstein said. “The path ahead may wind through different countries, contexts and sectors—from grassroots activism to policy reform, education to direct action.”
Her service has included actions such as volunteering at afterschool programs at a D.C. elementary school and serving the unhoused community within the city.
At the 2023 MLK Day of Service and Leadership, she spent the day collaborating with other GW students at Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a local nonprofit providing support for vulnerable communities. That experience turned impactful as she then worked her junior year at the same nonprofit before pursuing an internship there her senior year.
Throughout this past academic year at her internship with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, she has conducted evaluations of resident homes to create more inclusive and individualized housing opportunities for marginalized communities. She’s worked with the nonprofit’s director of monitoring and evaluation, and some of her projects have been comparing logic models across programs, creating a document on the shutdown of a family success center and creating guidelines for a new residential program for mothers. Additionally, she’s conducted interviews with D.C. prevention centers to analyze community partner relationships and mental health resources.
Not only has this invaluable experience given Epstein insight into public service in non-profit organizations, but it also has reinforced her value in working directly with the communities she wishes to serve.
Post-graduation, Epstein plans to remain steadfast in her commitment to public service and human rights, tackling one issue at a time.
“My passion for community organizing on a global scale will ideally guide me through diverse paths and approaches to creating change structures,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to leave this world more equitable, just and compassionate than I found it.”
GW Serves is a series featuring students who are living out the university’s mission to build up public service leaders and active citizens to create a better world.
