We are excited to welcome Tommy Oddo into our team! Tommy is joining us as a Graduate Research Assistant, and you can read more ΒιΆΉΣ³» him in the interview below.
- What project will you be working on, and what is your role?
Nourishing Power Network, as a Graduate Research Assistant supporting the Fellowship, Networking, and Advisory Council components.
- Where are you from?
Home for me is Northeast Ohio! I was born in Cleveland and raised in Mentor, a nearby Cleveland suburb.
- What is your background?
In college, I was a pre-med student studying Political Science at the University of Rochester; I held several clinical volunteering and research roles and gained experiences working with different non-profit organizations in Rochester. Post-graduation, I volunteered with a community health non-profit in rural Alabama, providing relationship-based support to individuals, groups, and institutions in Hale County. Coming to Swetland, my background is in healthcare, community health and development, and capacity building within non-profit agencies.
- What excites you ΒιΆΉΣ³» joining the Swetland Center?
I think the Swetland Center works at the intersection of many of my MSW student interests: organizing, community-engaged research, and environmental justice. As someone new to working in both social work and food equity, Iβm excited to learn from Clevelanders ΒιΆΉΣ³» the food system and their visions for transforming it, so Nourishing Power will be an especially informative project for me.
- What is your favorite outdoor space in Cleveland or a place you want to explore?
My favorite green space in Cleveland is the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve on Lakeshore Blvd. A few friends introduced me to it back in August, and itβs remained my go-to running route. Itβs a beautiful, protected space to walk, run, bird watch, read a book, or just be. And it sits right on the lake, so thereβs a lookout point with a gorgeous view of the Cleveland skyline.
- What is a piece of advice you have been given or a quote/statement that is significant to you?
βTo love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds.β- Bell Hooks
This ethos sticks with me, especially when I think ΒιΆΉΣ³» love for community and what that looks like in practice.