Darren Arquero, PJHC Intern at Houston Area Women's Center (Summer 2008) Working within the system of a non-profit organization, I have come to respect the paradigm of feminist counseling that HAWC advocates with every one of its clients: a belief that all individuals should have equal access to social rights. HAWC strives to create a community that embraces diversity, recognizes oppression, promotes empowerment, and supports the right of individuals to self-determination.

The Program in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities offers a combination of academic studies and practical experience, focusing on fostering human development to alleviate poverty, improve social justice, and build  capabilities. In conjunction with the academic courses, we  offer Rice University undergraduate students the chance to apply summer internships that will allow them to combine course study and practical experience in the field working for a non-profit organization or charity. This service-learning program will offer an immersion experience into a new community. For eight weeks this summer selected students will work full-time, with each student being given a substantive project to work on.

After taking HUMA 280/SOCI 280 and at least one approved elective or one of the required SWGS gender-related courses, students are eligible to apply for the minor and to participate in a service learning internship program approved for the minor.  Although they do not receive academic credit for the internship, they must undertake an approved internship program as part of the minor.

STIPENDS
Students will be awarded $4000 for participating in this program. Stipends will be awarded in installments, with each payment contingent on satisfactory completion of all requirements to that point. Failure to meet any of the requirements may result in the forfeiture of part or all of the stipend.

Yordanos Gebretatios, PJHC Intern at Children's Defense Fund (Summer 2008) Before the enrollment drives with the Children’s Defense Fund, I had never really given much thought to health insurance. I take for granted that I go to see my doctor when I’m ill.  I take for granted the fortune of good health and wear my invincibility cloak. The knowledge I now have about the failures with enrollment and common health insurance problems has not only given me greater insight into the complexities of health care coverage, but more importantly the compassion needed to advocate on behalf of children.

INTERNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
Previous Interns have volunteered at the following organizations:
Children’s Defense Fund (Houston, TX)
Communities in Schools (Houston, TX)
DePelchin Children’s Center (Houston, TX)
Family Haven: A Community in Partnership and Transitional Housing Programs (St. Louis, MO)
Houston Area Women’s Center (Houston, TX)
Houston Food Bank (Houston, TX)
Healthcare for the Homeless (Houston, TX)
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare (Memphis, TN)
PAIR:  Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees (Houston, TX)
Planned Parenthood (Houston, TX)
Safe Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition (Spartanburg, SC)
Salvation Army Family Residence (Houston, TX)
SEARCH Homeless Project (Houston, TX)
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (Houston, TX)

Students accepted into the internship program will work with the program manager to determine where they will intern.

Sarah Conlin, PJHC Intern at the Salvation Army Family Residence (Summer 2007)     Every single resident and family had a different story and continued to face unique challenges. Some of the adults struggled with substance abuse issues, had a history of domestic violence, and countless other issues that I never even considered… I was especially excited about working at this facility because it really focused on the whole person rather than just their status as homeless or unemployed. Women and children received counseling and administrators and volunteers were always available for the women to talk to.

 

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