Melissa Ruiz Hernandez

Melissa Ruiz Hernandez

Melissa Ruiz Hernandez

ILR '22

Say Yes Buffalo

High Road Fellowships - Buffalo, NY

“Sustainability and justice are
important to me and the High
Road is exactly that. In addition, as
someone from a community facing
great inequality, I now have a greater
understanding that nonprofits and
nongovernmental organizations play
a big role in the empowerment of
those who are often left out of the
conversation.”

WORK HIGHLIGHTS

• Created an official Community Schools “Best Practices Guide” for Say Yes and Buffalo Public Schools.

• Collaborated with the Community Schools Director to collect and synthesize data for the Best Practices Guide.

• Researched effective Community Schools programs nationally and summarized them into narrative pieces.

• Completed West Side Promise Neighborhood Leadership Program and received certification in facilitation training, use of public data and financial planning.

• Worked with another fellow to initiate communication between Community Schools Parent Centers and the Center for Employment Opportunities. 

BUFFALO HIGHLIGHT

Exploring the city and going to all the different art museums, meeting people from Buffalo, visiting Niagara Falls, eating mochi and sushi for the first time, and Taste of Buffalo.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Doing detours with other fellows, African American Heritage Corridor, WSPN Leadership Program, watching movies and Tamara taking us to Sonic at 12AM.

INTERESTS

Empowering youth through a holistic approach to education, discussing politics and current events with others. Finding inspiration for photos and art.

CONVENTIONAL AND UNCONVENTIONAL SKILLS

Research and data analysis, project creation and management, translation, group facilitation, being able to sleep no matter how much coffee I drink.

BLOG POST

Equity

Redefining Environmentalism