*Please note: this is an unpaid internship. The anticipated start date is May 2024.*

IRC IN SAN DIEGO BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK:The Women's Economic Empowerment Specialist (WEES) Intern will work alongside the WEES Program Specialist to support women who are facing economic barriers through offering financial capabilities training and coaching, employment navigation, and driving for equity transportation workshops and simulated lessons.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Women's Economic Empowerment Specialist in providing financial literacy workshops and 1:1 individual coaching sessions for clients
• Assess clients' needs and determine if they are eligible for low-income loans or any other IRC's Economic Empowerment resources
• Provide driving lessons or guided practice to clients using IRC's in-house driving simulator
• Assist with client data entry, outreach for economic empowerment programs, resource management, and follow-up calls

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

TheWomen's Economic Empowerment Specialist Intern will develop skills in gender equity awareness and mitigation, intercultural communication, and trauma-informed survivor-centered programming. Please see below for the learning objectives of this internship:

• The intern will develop a detailed understanding of the gender-related barriers hindering women from achieving self-sufficiency. They will explore factors such as socio-economic disparities, cultural norms, and systemic biases. Through hands-on experience the intern will identify strategies and resources to mitigate these barriers effectively.

• The intern will cultivate strong intercultural communication skills and competency necessary for effective interaction in diverse settings. Through immersive experiences and guided practice sessions, the intern will develop sensitivity to cultural nuances, communication styles, and social norms across different cultural contexts. They will engage in activities such as role-playing, and cross-cultural dialogues to enhance their ability to navigate intercultural communication challenges confidently.

• The intern will acquire a foundational understanding of survivor-centered programming with a trauma-informed approach. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical application, the intern will explore principles of trauma sensitivity, empowerment, and holistic support frameworks for survivors of various forms of trauma.