Meet Meera Kumar, Thrive DC's New Morning Program Coordinator!

We are so excited to announce a new member of the Thrive DC team, Meera Kumar! She will be serving as our Morning Program Coordinator. Learn more about her below!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am from California but I went to school in Boston. I came to D.C. looking for something different compared to those cities. I have been in the Social Work field for a couple of years, running a youth homeless shelter and working at a domestic violence shelter. I am also very passionate about food having worked as a line cook at a vegan restaurant in Boston.

What is your role at Thrive DC, and what do you like about it so far?

I am the new breakfast program coordinator and I love the opportunity to serve so many people in my community. Columbia Heights became my home away from home when I moved to DC and I have loved the opportunity to become a community partner and make a difference so close to home.

What attracted you to Thrive DC?

I think this opportunity specifically is what drew me to Thrive DC. Having worked at a restaurant previously, I missed being so close to food and grew up volunteering in plenty of soup kitchens. I appreciated the opportunity to do something closer to my roots and closer to what I enjoy.

What has been a meaningful staff/client interaction you've experienced since you started working here?

As part of my role, I will be serving as a Case Manager.  I've been working with my very first client here at Thrive DC to help with their benefits and insurance, and it's been very exciting to work with someone who is Spanish-speaking! Growing up learning and practicing Spanish, I never imagined I would be able to help people who speak it. It has been very meaningful for me to create a safe and comfortable environment for my clients.

What do you hope to learn from this experience?

I hope to learn more about DC and the people here, as well as more about myself and how I can grow better into my voice as a leader and manager.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies or interests?

I love to skateboard. Most of my clients get to see me on my morning skateboard commute. Like I said previously, I love to cook and this is one of my favorite hobbies after work.