Education Intern

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS

We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class:
Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

The Education Department supports We Are CASA’s multi-generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. Across its footprint, We Are CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and immigrant families. Additionally, the Education Department oversees We Are CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within the organization.

The department also supports We Are CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with We Are CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications.

Mi Espacio is an after school program that promotes successful high school graduation, leadership development, post-secondary enrollment and career readiness for first and second generation immigrant youth. Students grades ninth through twelve are eligible for enrollment. The program meets four days a week at High Pointe High School and We Are CASA’s Multicultural Center and includes the following components: workshops pertaining to college and career readiness, financial literacy and health;

enrichment activities such as sports, art, field trips and community service opportunities; leadership development and opportunities for civic engagement.

The Education Department’s Life Skills ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program uses the teaching methodology of Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences that they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student’s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment.

The classes also provide students with the linguistic skills and systems understanding needed to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community.

• Assist the Youth Program’s Coordinator in the development and facilitation of weekly
• workshops on topics including career readiness, post-secondary enrollment, leadership
• development, and grassroots organizing
• Utilize popular education techniques to create a fun, dynamic, and culturally responsive
• learning environment that promotes teamwork and aids students in developing their leadership
• skills
• Provide mentorship that supports students’ academic and professional success
• Maintain communication with and follow directions from program staff to ensure that
• students are receiving high quality mentorship of consistent tone and style
• Support the mission of We Are CASA and encourage students to actively participate in community
• events that promote civic engagement and social justice
• Conduct outreach calls, text messages and emails in Spanish (mostly) and English to potential
• ESOL students to provide a program overview and…