Meet Our Interns

Clark grew up in San Francisco and witnessed firsthand the increasing number of unhoused people and had close friends displaced by unchecked rent increases. He believes that housing should be affordable for everyone and should not be determined by a lottery system, and has noticed that there is an affordable housing crisis despite vacant and unused buildings and facilities in many cities. Clark hopes that he can support housing policy in the Bay Area by engaging with local elected officials and housing authorities. The last video that made Clark look at the world differently was “Your Desire to Be ‘Good’ Is Destroying Your Life” by Pearliee on YouTube. His favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is Yamo by 18th and Mission in San Francisco.

Luke has witnessed housing inequality in his parents’ home country of the Philippines and is seeing those same issues living in Washington and California. This is why Luke wants to make a difference by working in affordable housing development. He hopes to help solve these ongoing issues and help others. Luke wants to refine his skills and gain more hands-on experience and knowledge as a project manager in affordable housing. The last book that made Luke look at the world differently was “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. One of his favorite treats is frozen yogurt at Yogurt Park in Berkeley.

As a Haitian immigrant, Stephanie has watched her family and people around her struggle to have a place to call home. There were times when housing didn’t feel secure or safe, when it was hard to imagine long-term stability. This work feels urgent for Stephanie because she is not just looking for a career, but is looking for a way to give back and build something better for people like herself. She hopes to understand the stories and struggles behind housing public policies. Success would mean feeling more prepared to pursue law and advocacy work, not just on paper but in her heart. The last piece of media that made Stephanie look at the world differently was the documentary 13th by Ava DuVernay. Her favorite food is Korean BBQ.

Growing up along the West Coast, Evan frequently moved between different homes and communities. After spending a few years of college in Santa Barbara and residing in multiple rentals with inadequate living conditions, the correlation between housing, opportunity, and well-being became increasingly clear. For Evan, success would mean having a deeper understanding of the regulations surrounding the funding and development of affordable housing, as he sees these as being the biggest challenges in developing more housing and, in turn, creating opportunity. The book that helped Evan see the world from a new perspective is called “The War on Art” by Steven Pressfield. His favorite foods in the Bay are the Calabrese dog from Top Dog and a vodka pizza slice from Artichokes.

Growing up with a single mother, Sebastian became accustomed to moving and didn’t find it strange to not have a permanent place until the 8th grade. After moving again in the 11th grade, Sebastian was reminded of the stress involved and this experience had a deep impact on him. After completing the internship, Sebastian hopes to learn enough to easily describe what affordable housing is to a complete stranger as well as to new professionals joining the field. The last movie that made Sebastian look at the world differently was “The Substance”, and caused him to appreciate his youth and good health. His favorite meal in the Bay Area is a sandwich from Bara’s Deli, “The East Bay’s best kept Secret.”

Shari has witnessed her family struggle with affording a mortgage and the significant wealth and housing disparities that pervade around her. When Shari’s cousin acquired a Housing Choice Voucher and experienced a dramatic improvement in quality of life, she became solidly convinced that housing is fundamental to individual and community well-being. Upon completion of the internship, Shari hopes to gain an understanding of the financial tools and mechanisms used to develop affordable housing. The last TV show that shifted her perspective on the world is “Attack on Titan.” The show raises the question of whether freedom is worth becoming like your oppressor. Captain Loui, a seafood boil spot, is one of her favorite restaurants in the Bay.

Treyvon’s interest in affordable housing stems from his upbringing in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as he saw these cities marked by deep disparities and inequities. His experiences interning for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), serving on LA Metro’s inaugural Youth Council, and working on environmental justice initiatives in underserved Los Angeles communities have shaped how Treyvon understands cities and has strengthened his commitment to making them inclusive, accessible, and affordable for all. Upon completion of the internship, Treyvon hopes to deepen his understanding of affordable housing development through hands-on experience. The last film that shifted Treyvon’s worldview is a documentary called “The Condor and the Eagle”, which highlights Indigenous resistance to capitalism, environmental destruction, and resource exploitation. His favorite restaurant in San Francisco is Pakwan.