Lauren Ricci joins NLIHC as a policy intern for the fall semester. Lauren is a second-year Master of Public Administration candidate at the American University School of Public Affairs. Prior to joining NLIHC, Lauren worked with Opportunity@Work, a social enterprise with a mission to expand access to career-opportunities so that all Americans can work, learn, and earn to their full potential. During her time there, she supported the development of an innovative, learner-centered financing model for sector-specific workforce development programs, with an initial focus on the IT sector. Previously, Lauren supported local community stakeholders implement federal grants as a training and technical assistance specialist with the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center. She began her career providing direct services to survivors of human trafficking as an advocate and a hotline supervisor with the National Human Trafficking Hotline. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University. Lauren is looking forward to helping NLIHC advocate for policies that increase and preserve safe, affordable, and decent housing for the lowest income people in America, which she views as critical for addressing poverty and achieving social justice. Please join us in welcoming Lauren to the NLIHC team!