paid summer internship with oca-ny

This one's for college students (and recent graduates) in New York City... Paid internships! OCA-NY, a civil rights organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the political, economic, and cultural rights of Asian Americans in the five boroughs, is looking for some interns.

OCA-NY is currently accepting applicants to work full time as a summer intern on its Hate Crime Prevention Art Project and its ongoing campaign to seek for justice for Private Danny Chen. Here are some more detail about the positions:

The Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project, now in its 6th year, is a collaboration between OCA-NY and organizations serving youth of color and LGBTQ youth to organize an art competition among high school students in New York City. The college summer intern, supervised by OCA-NY, will work with the student planning committee for the art contest, help organize and prepare the training/workshops for the planning committee, advertise the competition, and plan the opening reception of the art contest.

OCA-NY is the lead advocacy organization seeking justice for Private Danny Chen, a 19 year-old soldier who died in Afghanistan after being subjected to mistreatment by his superiors. OCA-NY is seeking to have the courts-martial in the U.S. We will be planning an event to commemorate Danny’s 20th birthday in May.

The college student must work well independently and in group dynamics and have strong organizational and leadership skills. Travel between Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan and working some nights and weekends will be required. Experience working with youth groups and knowledge of hate crimes in the Asian American community in New York is preferred.

STIPEND: $2,500 for the period from May 1st (preferred start date) to August 15, 2012

TO APPLY: Send a current resume and an essay, no more than 500 words, as to why you should be selected. Include the names and contact information for two references: one from someone who is knowledgeable about your character and leadership skills and one from a professor who has taught you within the last year.

E-MAIL your application to Esther Choi at esther.choi@oca-ny.org

These sound like really great opportunities for folks who want to get on the ground and get involved. The deadline to apply is April 15, so get on this quick. For further information about OCA-NY, go here.