Women’s Studies Graduate Student Wins $3.4 Million Grant to Help Children
CORVALLIS, Ore.
An Oregon State University graduate student has won a $3.4 million grant for her work to provide services for children in poor neighborhoods of New York City.
Megan Barp came to Oregon State to study feminism and ended up working in low-income, high-crime neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
As part of her research for a master’s degree, Barp went to New York to interview women leaders of nonprofit organizations and learn about their management styles. After those interviews she received a job offer from the YWCA of the City of New York.
She remained a graduate student but accepted and found herself in the high-crime neighborhoods of Brownsville and Coney Island in Brooklyn. Brownsville is reported to have the highest crack cocaine use per capita in the nation.
Barp directs the YWCA’s youth services department, which provides academic enrichment, arts and cultural experiences, and fitness and health programs for children and teens.
