Country: United States of America

About: A civic activist who has lived in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Morocco, Washington D.C., and Boston. She is studying Civic Studies and International Relations at Tufts University.

Change does not come easy. But it comes. As someone who has been fortunate enough to live in various regions and learn about the challenging issues people face all over, I have witnessed and now seek to promote the power of civic engagement. My grandparents were political refugees who fled Cuba to the U.S. and they instilled in me from a young age the vital value of the vote. Using one’s voice through the vote is a critical way to make change. It’s not just important when choosing a nation’s leader, but all the way up and down the ballot to local elections. All elected officials hold power, but the true power is in the people. Use that power.

Recipe for Change: 

I have come to realize that the vote is only one piece to the puzzle of being a civically and politically engaged member of your community. Here are my 5 steps to civic action:

1. Let your elected officials know you’re watching. Pay attention to their decisions on key issues and budgets, and use your voice to advocate for your community’s needs.
   a. Find out if there is a website that tracks politicians position or votes on issues
   b. Develop templates for your friends and family to use when contacting your representatives specific to current issues
   c. Provide talking points and the means for sending letters, emails, and making calls.
2. Map the needs of your community. Mobilize friends to interview community members and find out the issues and assets of your community. Take these issues and work with stakeholders to create action plans.
3. Reach out to local organizations to help them develop youth-friendly volunteer opportunities around issues young people are passionate about.
4. Shout! Show up to demonstrations in the face of injustice. To organize protests, create a coalition where you collaborate with relevant stakeholders in your community to bring your assets to the movement. Be safe and be loud.
5. Vote! Your voice is in your vote. If elections are not free and fair, go back to step 4!

Recipe: Cuban Flan de Coco

This is a recipe that has been passed down through my Mom’s Cuban side of the family. My Grandmother was 17 when she was imprisoned by the Castro regime. Her resilience is an inspiration to me as I seek to make change.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
4 whole eggs
1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
1 14 oz can condensed milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
Shredded coconut flakes

INGREDIENTS
For the cake
1 box of Vanilla cake mix
Tres leches sauce
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup of milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting (optional)
3 large egg whites
¾ cup of sugar
Pinch of salt
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325℉. In a medium-sized saucepan, add sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to boil. Once melted, quickly pour caramelized sugar into a baking dish and completely cover the bottom and sides evenly.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut milk, condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt until combined. Strain mixture slowly into the baking dish over the caramel. Create a water bath by placing the baking dish inside a larger baking pan.
3. Pour hot water inside the baking pan until it reaches halfway. Bake for 50 minutes
4. Let cool inside the water bath. Refrigerate for at least two to four hours before serving. Pour caramel over flan and garnish with shredded coconut flakes.