Economic Empowerment Program Intern with UMD's SAFE Center -- Aug. 6 Priority Deadline

The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors is the first university-based center that combines service, research, and advocacy to address the issue of human trafficking. It is an initiative of the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, through the MPower program. Through in-house services and collaborative partnerships, the SAFE Center provides direct social, legal, primary medical, mental health, and economic empowerment services to human trafficking survivors. We serve U.S. and foreign-born adult and child survivors of sex and labor trafficking. The SAFE Center is initially focused on Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, with a longer-term focus on the state of Maryland.

The SAFE Center opened on May 9, 2016 and is located adjacent to the College Park campus. This internship is an opportunity to assist in the development of the SAFE Center’s economic empowerment programs for trafficking survivors. Economic empowerment is a key element in restoring trafficking survivors’ independence and self-determination.

Responsibilities May Include:

• Resource mapping of relevant economic empowerment programs in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, Washington DC, and at the Maryland state level.
• Assisting in outreach internally to relevant University departments and programs and externally to relevant organizations in the area.
• Identifying opportunities for collaboration with university and community partners.
• Researching best practices and models for economic empowerment program delivery to vulnerable populations.
• Helping to develop economic empowerment programs and/or events.
• Researching relevant workforce development grant and funding opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a course of study focusing on business, public policy, administration, management, vocational psychology, or other relevant field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities. Comfortable taking initiative and proposing ideas.
• Well-organized with strong attention to detail.
• Able to receive and implement feedback.
• Experience in workforce development/economic empowerment preferred but not required.
• Flexibility and a sense of humor!

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter with your number of available hours per week, to Laura Ardito, Deputy Director, at lardito@umd.edu. Please put “Economic Empowerment Program Internship” in the subject of your email. A background check may be required.