Organization: Church World Service (CWS) Orange County
Location: Orange County, Southern California
Duration: Fall 2024 semester (Specify duration as applicable)
Position Type: Unpaid internship, must be affiliated with a college or university
Overview:
Around the world, 100 million people are displaced, including 27 million who have fled their countries due to conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. CWS has been dedicated to supporting refugee families in rebuilding their lives in the United States since responding to the devastation of World War II. Through partnerships with local communities and congregations, we ensure each arriving family receives a warm welcome and essential services to foster their integration as valued members of their new communities. Welcoming refugees not only provides safety and hope but also enriches our communities as refugees contribute through businesses, volunteering, and active citizenship.
Responsibilities:
- Assist Case Managers: Support case managers in providing comprehensive services to refugee and immigrant families.
- Field Work: Accompany case managers on home visits and community outings to help families navigate their new environment, including driving clients to appointments, introducing families to local resources, and facilitating cultural orientation outings.
- Administrative Support: Assist with data entry, maintaining client records, and completing paperwork related to client services.
- Cultural Liaison: Utilize language skills and cultural knowledge to effectively communicate with diverse clients and ensure their needs are met.
- Event Participation: Attend community events, workshops, and meetings to provide information about CWS services, document events, and share success stories.
- Office Presence: Assist with office scheduling, phone calls, and other administrative tasks at least one day per week.
- Additional Tasks: Interns will report to the Community Engagement Program Officer and may undertake specialized projects, event coordination, or program-specific administrative duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university program.
- Interest in and commitment to serving refugee and immigrant populations.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
- Language proficiency in languages spoken by clients (e.g., Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, Ukrainian) is a plus.
Application Process:
To apply for this internship, please complete the following steps:
- Complete the online application form provided by Church World Service (CWS) Orange County, including basic information and questions related to your interest in the internship.
- Attach your updated resume detailing your relevant education, work experience, and any volunteer activities.
- Submit a brief statement (maximum 500 words) outlining your objectives for participating in this internship, how it aligns with your academic and career goals, and your interest in refugee and immigrant services.
- After completing the form and uploading your documents, click submit to send your application to Volunteer and Community Engagement Program Officer at [Email Address].
Only complete applications will be considered. Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly.
Benefits:
- Hands-on experience in refugee and immigrant services.
- Mentorship from experienced professionals.
- Exposure to diverse cultures and communities in Southern California.
- Potential for academic credit (if applicable) and professional development.
Note: This internship is unpaid and designed to fulfill academic requirements for college or university credit. Interns will receive supervision and support from experienced staff members.