Summer Internship Opportunity

PHILLIS WHEATLEY ASSOCIATION CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND FREEDOM SCHOOLS®
Servant Leader Intern Position Description


Title: Servant Leader Intern
Date: March 31, 2008
Organization: Phillis Wheatley Association

Nature and Scope
The CDF Freedom SchoolsSM program is an educational and cultural enrichment program. Our program provides summer options for children where there are none and strengthens parent and community involvement in the year-round achievement of children. We serve children ages 5 to 18 for five to eight weeks and integrate reading, conflict resolution, and social action in an activity-based curriculum to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness.

Founded in 1995 by the Children's Defense Fund’s Black Community Crusade for Children (BCCC) ® and today coordinated nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund in partnership with well-established and effective local and regional child-serving organizations, the CDF Freedom Schools program is a direct service initiative. CDF’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. Servant Leader Interns require a week-long training session conducted by CDF Freedom Schools national staff at the historic CDF Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.

College-aged young people and recent college graduates play a key role in the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program as Servant Leader Interns. CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Interns are responsible for the front-line care and nurturing of the children. Using the Integrated Reading Curriculum, they serve as facilitators in the classroom and as leaders of parent workshops and community outreach activities.

Responsibilities
• Deliver the Integrated Reading Curriculum to a class of no more than ten students for 7 weeks during the summer months, according to the standards developed by the Children's Defense Fund and the Phillis Wheatley Association.
• Set-up and breakdown of his/her classroom space, including securing and organizing the appropriate materials.
• Collaborate with staff to establish and maintain a supportive and structured environment for the children entrusted to their care.
• Serve as a Harambee! leader each day of program operation.
• Serve as a leader of afternoon activities and other special events; chaperone field trips

Qualifications
• Solid commitment to children’s advocacy and enthusiasm for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program
• Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team
• Strong appreciation and understanding of individual cultural history and the willingness to be open and respectful of all cultures
• Willingness to strive for excellence in all areas
• Ability to think critically and analytically
• Exhibit behavior and positive attitude; model a mature and professional demeanor
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to the character, humility and servant leadership ethics of Ella Baker
• Current voter registration
• Authorization for background check for criminal and child protective findings

A modest stipend will be paid for this position. Send resume and cover letter to ptaylor@philliswheatley.org