In 2008, two young women living in New York City wondered how to inspire more of their friends to join the movement to end global poverty. Emily Bell Tyree and Nusrat Choudhury believed that CARE was an extraordinary organization and a leader in that movement.

They both had personal connections to CARE. Emily grew up learning about CARE since her father, Peter Bell, served as CARE USA’s CEO for 11 years from 1995 to 2006 and prior to that, Peter Bell had served on the Board.  In 1991, Emily traveled to Cajamarca, Peru with her parents and witnessed CARE’s programs in reproductive health and agriculture firsthand. She joined CARE’s New York Women’s Initiative, another volunteer group, in 2005. Nusrat served as an intern for CARE India in 2005. She worked with CARE outreach workers and policy staff to document how police harassment and human rights violations were increasing the risk of HIV by making vulnerable populations, including sex workers, economically vulnerable.

After graduating from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Emily and Nusrat were optimistic that more New Yorkers would share their passion for CARE’s life-saving work if they were equipped with information and the opportunity to come together. They believed young people represented a tremendous untapped resource. Inspired by the New York Women’s Initiative for CARE and working closely with CARE USA staff, Emily and Nusrat launched Young Professionals for CARE in 2008.

Since its inception, Young Professionals for CARE- New York has raised over $235,000 dollars for CARE. With the active support of its Steering Committee and volunteers, the group has hosted more than 35 fundraisers, advocacy, and educational events, engaging over 2,000 young professionals to better understand the challenges faced by people living in extreme poverty, as well as the hope and lifesaving support that CARE provides. Emily and Nusrat have also guided CARE staff and volunteers in helping to launch other young professionals groups in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and India. Meghan Aftosmis played an instrumental role in the group as Coordinator of Marketing and Fundraising from 2012-2016.

CARE is grateful for the commitment of Emily, Nusrat and Meghan to make the Young Professionals for CARE a reality. With chapters now in Atlanta and Philadelphia, we invite you to become a member of this growing network and join the fight to end global poverty. Please contact Matt Korn at 404-979-9450 or mkorn@care.org if you are interested in starting a Young Professionals for CARE chapter in your area.