FELLOWSHIP: Language Justice Organizer (Starting AUG 2021)
Commonwealth Corps
Service Internship Position Description
Matahari Women Workers Center
Commonwealth Corps
Language Justice Organizing Fellow
The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. Through hands-on experience, Commonwealth Corps members gain professional skills and valuable knowledge while positively impacting diverse communities in our state.
The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The four Commonwealth Corps members with Matahari Women Workers’ Center will serve 10.5 months in a half-time capacity. They will join a diverse corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in the service to their communities and the Commonwealth.
Matahari seeks to end gender-based violence and exploitation by developing leadership of immigrant women workers of color. Matahari will host four half-time members as Commonwealth Corps Language Justice Organizers. As Language Justice Organizers, you will help Matahari achieve its language justice goals. At Matahari we understand language justice is not simply a logistical task, but as a central commitment and part of our broader commitment to fight for dignity and respect for immigrant workers of color.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Essential Responsibilities
Complete a minimum of 750 hours of service, serving through June 25, 2022.
Attend all required Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA (minimum of 6 total, post orientation) and Matahari Women Workers’ Center, including a new member orientation on August 16 & 17, 2021.
Participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of MSA-related activities each week (in person or virtually).
Translate outreach materials (social media posts, newsletters, email communications) as well as program materials;
Interpret for internal meetings (with monolingual staff, member-leaders, and board members), public events (new member orientations, know your rights trainings, meetings with legislators), campaign- or committee-specific meetings (au pair committee, healing justice committee, wage theft committee, etc.); and individual and small group meetings. These responsibilities are currently held by event organizers with the oversight of the Education & Empowerment Organizer and Executive Director.
Facilitate evaluation sessions and professional development workshops between organizers and interpreters to improve the quality of language services rendered and with the support of the Education & Empowerment Organizer.
Recruit, coordinate, and manage language justice volunteers, who will help Matahari achieve language justice at large events that require greater coordination
Marginal Responsibilities:
Participate in weekly team meetings and quarterly language justice trainings (2 hours each)
Field calls from workers who need support connecting to local resources (1-3 calls per week)
WHO YOU ARE:
You must be:
A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the United States
18 years of age at minimum, however we have had members ranging from 18 – 70+ years old
Excited to give back to your community and help others
Interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experience and knowledge
Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way
Able to participate in occasional evenings and weekends
Proficient with Google Docs, Gmail, and different phone-based messaging applications.
Bilingual or multilingual fluent (written and spoken) in English and another language, ideally: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Tagalog, and/or Brazilian Portuguese
Experienced with language justice interpretation/translation
What You’ll Get:
Stipend of or $450 semi-monthly while in service, up to or $9,450, minus taxes and withholdings;
Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
Completion award of up to $1,500 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA)
Monthly living and commuting expenses at the rate of $200 per month (can be used for MBTA pass, home expenses, child care, etc.)
Additional training and other professional development opportunities;
Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
The opportunity for at least 5 paid days of planned absences, in addition to accrued sick time and MA legal holidays.
Opportunity to join with others with a common sense of purpose as part of the Commonwealth Corps.
Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.
Term of Service:
Position Start Date: August 16, 2021
Position End Date: June 25, 2022
Service commitment will average 18-20 (half-time) hours per week during the following days/times Sunday-Saturday (flexible evenings and weekends). We need for you to attend weekly check-ins (30 min-1 hr) as needed and weekly team meetings between (up to 2 hours) during normal business hours (flexible scheduling) M-F, 9am-5pm. Potential for up to 2-4 evening/weekend commitments per month, with two weeks’ notice provided.
How to Apply:
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by May 31st to Jéssica Oliveira of Matahari at: [email protected]. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check.
Click here to learn more about other service opportunities with Commonwealth Corps.
Matahari Women Workers’ Center will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. Matahari Women Workers’ Center welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.