- Internships are 10 weeks.
- The stipend for 2008 is $3000.
Summer Internship Program
New York Civil Liberties Union
Organization's Mission:
The Reproductive Rights Project aggressively advocates for reproductive freedom and is the legal arm of the pro-choice movement in New York State. The project uses a three pronged strategy of litigation, advocacy, and public education to defend reproductive rights in New York.
The Teen Health Initiative (THI) was launched to remove the barriers that prevent young people from accessing the critical health services and information they need. These obstacles range from subjective fears about confidentiality and consent to policies and practices that limit young people’s access to services and information. The current political climate is increasingly punitive towards young people as evidenced by the recent barrage of anti-youth legislation ranging from the federal abstinence-only “sex education” programs, to parental consent requirements and condom bans.
Through a strategy of public education and advocacy, the THI responds to these challenges and empowers young people with the information and skills necessary to become their own advocates. The THI provides vital information on minors’ rights to confidential reproductive health care and on government policies and proposals to undermine these rights, to teens and the professionals who work with them.
Internship Description:
The intern would work with the THI Director on a variety of projects integrating new media into the work of the THI. These could include:
- Working on developing a THI “Know Your Rights” video
- Revamping THI’s website
- Establishing an online presence for THI using social networking sites and other online tools, enabling the program to effectively reach youth across New York State
The innovative THI peer education program is comprised of a diverse group of teens, who complete training on civil liberties, reproductive rights, activism and media advocacy. Through peer led workshops for teens, trainings for professionals and peer educators, and minors’ rights literature, the THI empowers teens to seek the health care they need and to advocate for policies that make services more accessible.
Skills Needed:
Interns must have an interest and enthusiasm in the project’s issues, organizational skills, and the ability to work independently. Good writing and research skills are important. Interns should be self-motivated, responsible and dedicated.
Interns in this position should be competent with web design and/or digital video editing.
