MENTOR NETWORK
Fernando Abarca '14
He/Him/His
Los Angeles, CA
Oxy Major/Minor:
Politics & Spanish Double Major
Current Company:
Right to the City Alliance
Current Position:
National Field Team Organizer- Western Region
Campus Involvement/Special Programs:
Campaign Semester
Secondary Schooling:
Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA
Favorite MP/Cooler Food:
Philly Cheese Steak and fries
Best Oxy Class:
Rebellious Lawyering
Groups I Identify With:
First Generation students and Latino students
Bio:
I am currently the Western Region Field Team Organizer for the Right to the City Alliance. I work on housing policy issues impacting different communities across the western coast of the U.S. I've spent the last 7 years working on different housing strategies to support under resourced residents stay in their communities. My research and organizing work has focused on alternative strategies to housing and economic development including Community Land Trusts and Cooperatives. I would love to join the mentor network to provide resources and make connections for students looking to get into the Urban Planning field.
Career Advice:
Personally, I thought it was important for my career to get started in a position that allowed me to work with the population I ultimately wanted to support. I wanted to work and learn as much as I could from them, their experiences, and knowledge before moving onto research or policy related positions. I cannot imagine doing advocacy now without that foundation. Without those experiences I am certain the policies and strategies I advocate and support today would completely miss the mark.