The MinKwon Center for Community Action (formerly YKASEC)

Summer 2012 Internship

Youth Program Intern

The MinKwon Center for Community Action (formerly YKASEC) was established in 1984 to meet the needs and concerns of the Korean American community through our five program areas: Community Organizing and Advocacy, Social and Legal Services, Civic Participation, Youth Empowerment, and Culture.  Since our founding, we have made a profound presence in the Korean American community through various grassroots organizing, education, and advocacy initiatives that address important community issues, including immigration policies at the national, state and city levels, voter rights, and culture awareness.  The MinKwon Center places a special emphasis on meeting the needs of our marginalized community members, including youth, elderly, recent immigrants, low-income residents, and limited-English-proficient residents.  More recently, it has expanded its program areas to work with the Chinese American community as well.

The MinKwon Center views young people as potential leaders, both now and in the future.  Our Youth Empowerment Program provides the opportunity for local Asian American high school youth to become future leaders for the community, by educating them on critical issues and providing them opportunities to advocate for themselves on these issues.  Through our work, we hope to raise a generation of socially conscious individuals that understand the importance of community engagement and civic involvement.

Internship Description

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate weekly meetings with youth;

• Maintain direct contact with youth through follow-ups;

• Participate in community organizing efforts to engage youth;

• Conduct educational activities for youth to inform them of issues that are impacting immigrant youth communities, including the Korean American community;

• Engage in advocacy efforts on behalf of youth, immigrants, and low-income community members.

Details of Internship

• Supervision: Intern is supervised by the Youth Program Coordinator.

• Compensation: While internships are not paid positions, academic credit has been arranged in the past.

• Hours: Interns are expected to work full-time, 10 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday.

• Duration: The internship runs from June to August 2012. Specific dates will be discussed in person.

Requirements

• Have the desire to empower the Asian American community.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and independence, requiring minimal supervision.

• Strong interest in social justice issues.

• Proficiency and familiarity with computer applications and internet research.

Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Please submit a cover letter and resume by April 15th, 2012 via email to:

Emily Park

Youth Program Coordinator

emily.park@minkwon.org