Economic Empowerment for Refugees and Migrants - Intern
Check with your school's Internship Coordinator BEFORE accepting the hiring offer to determine if this position satisfies the criteria for receiving academic credit.
IRC Background: The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement the IRC provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s Economic Empowerment programming focuses on connecting individuals to employment opportunities in an effort to lead them down the path of self sufficiency. This is accomplished through a combination of employment services, financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits and income supports.
Internship Summary: The Economic Empowerment Intern will support the Economic Empowerment team with case management, financial counseling, job placement assistance, and ensuring that clients are accessing the full range of supportive services available to them.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain a clear and nuanced picture of the early financial lives of refugees and newcomers to the Bay Area
• Gain firsthand experience and knowledge of the refugee resettlement process. This includes learning the processes and protocols required of an international refugee nonprofit, the challenges newly arrived refugees face, and the network of public assistance programs offered in Northern California.
• Gain nonprofit professional experience. IRC interns leave their internship with transferable skills that can help launch a career within the nonprofit sector.
COMMITMENT:
• 15 – 30 hours per week
• Six months minimum commitment
• IRC is committed to working with student schedules. We will accommodate time off necessary for midterms and school holidays, and altering weekly schedules to adapt to changing class schedules.
Major Responsibilities:
• Provide job readiness and job search coaching to clients preparing to enter the US job market. • Assist clients in creating resumes and cover letters and submitting job applications
• Help clients prepare for job interviews
• Work 1:1 with clients on a variety of basic personal finance topics such as how to open a bank account, how to read a paystub, and the difference between a debit card and a credit card.
• Support with developing and maintaining employer partnerships as needed.
• Assist clients with filling out a variety of applications for public and private income support programs including LIHEAP (Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program), CalFresh, Medi-Cal, PG&E CARE, and others.
Position Requirements
• Meet pre-agreed weekly time commitments
• Attend all required team meetings and regularly scheduled check-ins with your internship supervisor
Desired Qualifications:
• Experience working with diverse and/or low income populations preferred
• Self- starter with excellent problem solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency in Spanish, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya, Arabic, or Amharic preferred.
Working Environment:
• Standard office work environment with regular travel throughout the service delivery area