Apply for the Fall 2015 Immigration and Labor Project

Posted in Day Laborer Exchange

The Kalmanovitz Initiative’s Immigration and Labor Project (a new iteration of the Day Laborer Exchange) is a student project that supports grassroots efforts of community-based organizations to advance economic and social justice for immigrant communities in the DC area.

The Immigration and Labor Project also provides a space for the study, research and advocacy of issues that affect working and low-income immigrant communities and develops grassroots organizing skills among students by collaborating with labor leaders, scholars, workers, community members, and activists to address issues common to working and low-income immigrant communities.

We are now accepting applications for student coordinators and student volunteers for the fall 2015 semester!

Student Coordinators

Student coordinators will dedicate 6-10 hours a week actively supporting one of the two following grassroots projects in conjunction with community partners:

• Students placed with DC Employment Justice Center will support the worker-led promotor committee by conducting research on employers; strategizing with promotores and EJC organizers; accompanying workers and committee members to file claims at the Office of Wage-Hour; accompanying workers and committee members in walk-backs and other direct actions if deemed appropriate; and coordinating a small number of volunteers to assist with intake of wage theft and unjust firing cases at the Worker Rights Clinic, every Wednesday from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at Bread for the City in Shaw.
• Students placed with Georgetown Center for Social Justice will support the ongoing research regarding Limited Purpose Driver Licenses in DC. Students will set appointments and conduct interviews with members of immigrant communities, transcribe interviews, and participate in analyzing data collected for future stages of the research project.

In addition to working directly with community partners, student coordinators will co-lead a team of 5-7 volunteers who will be dedicating approximately five hours a week to the given projects. This may require coordinating volunteer schedules and transportation and facilitating weekly meetings and monthly reflections.

Student coordinators collaborate with the KI program coordinator to lead the day-to-day operation of the program and shape the program throughout the semester. The position pays $12 per hour and requires approximately 6-10 hours per week. Coordinators are expected to attend regular meetings to discuss program logistics. Both Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply, although bilingual applicants will be prioritized in selection. Applications are available here.

Student Volunteers

Student volunteers will dedicate approximately five hours a week actively supporting one of the two following grassroots projects in conjunction with community partners:

• Students placed with Employment Justice Center will support the worker-led promotor committee by assisting with intake of wage theft and unjust firing cases at the Worker Rights Clinic, every Wednesday from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at Bread for the City in Shaw. Spanish language ability will be necessary.
• Students placed with Georgetown Center for Social Justice will support the ongoing research regarding Limited Purpose Driver Licenses in DC. Students will set appointments for and transcribe interviews with members of immigrant communities. Spanish language ability is useful but not necessary.

In addition, student volunteers will attend regular reflections to discuss the projects at hand. In total, students will be expected to commit approximately five hours per week to this program. Participation is capped at a limited number. Both Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply, although bilingual applicants will be prioritized. The program begins with a mandatory orientation, the date for which will be announced soon. Students will begin going to the program site that same week. Applications are available here.

Applications may be turned in electronically to KI Program Coordinator Nick Wertsch at nmw9@georgetown.edu. Please direct any questions to Nick Wertsch at 202.687.4987 or at nmw9@georgetown.edu.