Say hello to Jie, one of our seven EAT360 Program Coordinators and also one of our newest staff members here at VCP!
To help you get to know him on a more personal level, we sat down with Jie to ask him a few questions as a part of a #VCPeople Q&A.
What did you do before VCP / what’s your background?
So I graduated from Rutgers New Brunswick with a major in Neuropsychology and have worked in the non-profit sector for the past 5-6 years. My initial focus was working with mental health, substance use, and homeless populations in Atlantic and Cape May County, New Jersey. Then I was promoted to a coordinator position where I had the honor of working with Holocaust survivors and their families and with case management for senior citizens.
What drew you to Vetri Community Partnership?
My parents owned a restaurant, so I’ve been in that business all of my life. Food has always been a big part of our family and I’ve always loved to cook for my friends/family/strangers. Moving to Philadelphia, I came to Vetri Community Partnership to mix my passion for helping others with my love for food!
What do you hope to accomplish as an EAT360 Program Coordinator?
Working in my school communities, I hope to help inspire children and adults to try more of the wonderful cuisines and flavors from around the world while also working to mitigate stigma about healthy food. I hope to do this by encouraging community members to be confident and open when trying unfamiliar recipes that are both delicious and nutritious!
If you were a fruit or vegetable which would you be and why?
I think I’d be a carabao mango! It grows best in tropical weather on an island close to volcanoes and it’s quite sweet!
If you see Jie around at your school, be sure to stop and say hello!
