Lorenzo Norbis, a rising senior at Boston Latin School, has lived his entire life in the North End of Boston. He attends the Sunday Mass at St. Leonard-Port Maurice Parish every week and enjoys the sense of community that he feels in the close-knit neighborhood, prompting him to want to be able to give back to his city.
Lorenzo is the son of a Uruguayan immigrant and his family’s background has led him to take an interest in immigration reform. Lorenzo’s interest in public service stems from how ESL teachers and pro-immigration policies aided his family when they fled a dictatorship. During his junior year, he took part in a virtual volunteer opportunity for a non-profit in Costa Rica which acts as a social welfare program for the underprivileged. This experience taught Lorenzo how important government programs and community outreach can be to disadvantaged communities.
Despite his love of Boston, Lorenzo knew very little about the legislature that can change many aspects of the city. So Lorenzo applied to the Ward Fellowship due to his curiosity about public service and the day-to-day work that goes into such a career. Lorenzo is grateful to be able to work with State Representative Adrian Madaro this summer, serving the community of East Boston.