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Community Engagement Intern

La Casa Norte

Community Engagement Intern

Chicago, IL
Internship
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Community Engagement Intern Program/Department: Community Engagement Location: 2845 W. McLean Avenue, Chicago This is an unpaid internship position and is open for Summer, Fall/Spring. Students applying for this position may be: either undergraduate or graduate. General Description: La Casa Norte serves youth and families confronting homelessness. We deliver services using Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Person-Centered frameworks. The purpose of this internship is to engage community members in La Casa Nortes key communities, with a particular focus on hunger and food security. This is a non-clinical placement appropriate for students with a focus on community organizing, advocacy, public policy, or similar. Primary Tasks and Responsibilities * Research and learn issue areas impacting the quality of life in the communities of Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Back of the Yards, and surrounding neighborhoods, including but not limited to: hunger and food insecurity, affordable housing, gentrification, public safety, and health disparities. * Research public sources of data and conduct literature reviews to gain a broader understanding o these issue areas. * Support La Casa Nortes Food & Nutrition initiatives through various activities, including stakeholder engagement, meeting facilitation, coordinating food donations and rescue, developing and implementing community food drives, assisting with donation pick up and drop off, and emergency food distribution. * Learn about La Casa Nortes housing and supportive service programs, Philosophy of Care, and service frameworks (including Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care). * Represent La Casa Norte at various community events, including health fairs, block parties, advocacy group meetings, etc. Provide information about La Casa Nortes programs and resources. * Engage with participants through formal and informal activities; build rapport; model healthy relationships; create and maintain professional boundaries. * Assist La Casa Norte participants in developing testimonials and other advocacy pieces to demonstrate the impact of LCNs services and the need for housing and support services. * Document all services and activities as required by LCNs data entry policy; assist staff with obtaining documentation of all outcomes achieved. * Assist with LCN special events and fundraising efforts as needed. Applicant Strengths and Qualities Required: * Enrolled in a Social Work, Psychology, Public Policy, other equivalent program * Ability to engage with, and build rapport with community members and stakeholders * Demonstrated interest in community development and engagement * Good organizational and communication skills * Ability to demonstrate a non-judgmental attitude, a person-centered approach, and a strengths-based perspective. * Willingness to use a harm reduction approach to risky behaviors * Comfort working with people who identify as LGBTQ * Strong computer skills Preferred: * Previous experience in social services (either work, intern, or volunteer) * Spanish/English bilingual * Knowledge regarding the social, economic, and cultural patterns of various Latino & African-American populations Schedule: Hours are available Monday- Friday 9AM 6PM. Some evening and weekend availability is preferred.