Olivia Marnell was a junior honors student studying English with a dual major in International Affairs as well as minors in Justice Studies and Italian Studies. During spring semester 2021, she interned with East Boston Social Centers, a social service organization that serves culturally diverse families in the East Boston area by implementing programs that are designed to meet their educational, social, and recreational needs. Olivia wrote human-interest stories for a blog that spotlighted the organization’s programs through first-hand accounts from those who have benefited from the centers. She was able to combine her interest in writing with her passion for human rights issues while increasing outreach of the social centers. Olivia was most passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. Throughout her time with Semester in the City, she was able to not only address these matters on a personal level by connecting with others in need but also further solidify her hopes for a more intentionally inclusive future that lauds the efforts of non-profits like East Boston Social Centers.
