Paid Internships w/Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:50:40 -0400
dc, homeless, intern, paid, summer, teach

As students, you have an opportunity to work in the Servant Leader Intern position at the D.C. General Shelter. The D.C. General Shelter is a new site and is the first where students will be working directly with homeless children. This internship is based in northeast Washington D.C. and is metro accessible

APPLICATION BELOW- Apply by APRIL 6th
All interested applicants are encouraged to email both their application and resume to Dana R. Hall at dhall@childrensdefense.org by Friday, April 6, 2012.

Organization:
The CDF Freedom Schools® program is an educational and cultural enrichment program. Our program provides summer options for children where there are none and strengthens parent and community involvement in the year-round achievement of children. We serve children ages 5 to 18 for five to eight weeks and integrate reading, conflict resolution, and social action in an activity-based curriculum to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness.

Founded in 1995 by the Children’s Defense Fund’s Black Community Crusade for Children® (BCCC) initiative and today coordinated nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund in partnership with well-established and effective local and regional child-serving organizations, the CDF Freedom Schools program is a direct service initiative. CDF’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. The project director position requires training sessions conducted by CDF Freedom Schools national staff at the historic CDF Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.

College-age young people and recent college graduates play a key role in the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program as servant leader interns. CDF Freedom Schools servant leader interns are responsible for the front-line care and nurturing of the children. Using the Integrated Reading Curriculum, they serve as facilitators in the classroom and as leaders of parent workshops and community outreach activities.

Responsibilities
• Deliver the Integrated Reading Curriculum to a class of no more than ten students for 6–8 weeks during the summer months, according to the standards developed by the Children's Defense Fund and the local program sponsor.
• Set up and break down his/her classroom space, including securing and organizing the appropriate materials.
• Collaborate with staff to establish and maintain a supportive and structured environment for the children entrusted to their care.
• Serve as a Harambee! leader each day of program operation.
• Serve as a leader of afternoon activities and other special events; chaperone field trips.
• Participate fully in the June National Training from June 3–10, 2012. (1st, 2nd and 3rd year servant leader interns only).

Qualifications
• Must be between 19 – 30 years of age, completed at least one year of college, and have plans to complete the college degree
• Maintain or have graduated with at least a 3.0 G.P.A.
• Solid commitment to children’s advocacy and enthusiasm for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program
• Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team
• Strong appreciation and understanding of individual cultural history and the willingness to be open and respectful of all cultures
• Willingness to strive for excellence in all areas
• Ability to think critically and analytically
• Exhibit positive attitude; model a mature and professional demeanor
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to the character, humility, and servant leadership ethics of Ella Baker
• Current voter registration
• Authorization for background check for criminal and child protective findings