The Veterans Equity Center (VEC) is a non-profit that was initially established to serve and advocate for Filipino World War II Veterans, widows, and their families. Filipinos have a rich history in San Francisco. VEC was created to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for the Filipino community. More recently, VEC alongside other community advocates and workers formed the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP) to address the housing needs of the Filipino community. VEC has expanded its services to provide housing assistance for seniors, immigrants, and families, many of whom reside in the South of Market.

One of VEC’s goals is to ensure that the interests and homes of our clients are preserved and protected. This is a critical time for the SoMa community and VEC is interested in stabilizing the existing residents and workers. We are currently searching for individuals who are interested in learning more about issues that affect our community such as: Veterans issues, immigration, and affordable housing for immigrants, families, seniors, and youth.

Position Title: Mano Po Intern
Mano Po Interns will work alongside VEC staff to provide support services for seniors and adults with disabilities. In addition, they will assist BiSHoP staff in serving SoMa individuals and families in finding and applying for affordable housing in San Francisco. Lastly, interns will be exposed to the history and current socioeconomic landscape of the South of Market, a neighborhood learning to withstand the effects of development and gentrification.

Qualifications:
• VEC welcomes students, community advocates, and individuals from all walks of life
• Bilingual (Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Spanish) applicants are encouraged to apply

Requirements:
• Attend Mano Po Intern Meetings (Time and Location TBA)
• Commit at least 4 hours of community service work per week to VEC and other community partners

Other:
• This is an unpaid internship. School/Volunteer credit is available upon request

How to Apply:
Please email your application to: Caroline Calderon at manoposf@gmail.com (Subject: Mano Po Internship) or mail/drop off your application at the Veterans Equity Center. If you have any additional questions please call (415) 255-2347.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE: FEBRUARY 25, 2013 by 5 pm

Mano Po Internship Description – Spring 2013

Spring 2013 Internship Application

Mano Po Internship Components

The Mano Po Internship will provide interns training and tasks in the below mentioned areas. Interns will have the opportunity to choose an emphasis in a particular area; however, all interns will be exposed to each of the following components when necessary:

Social Media and Technology
• Help coordinate weekly computer class with Filipino immigrants and seniors
• Partake in curriculum planning aimed to link seniors and South of Market youth through technology
• Be a historian for current community issues and find ways to creatively and effectively document and publish interviews and community events
• Build and maintain VEC’s and BiSHoP’s online presence through social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Advocacy for Filipino WWII Veterans and their families
• Take lead in organizing and educating students through Student Action for Veterans Equity (SAVE), a student coalition originally established to organize for Filipino WWII Veterans and their families
• Meet, contact, and develop relationships with government representatives and/or their staff
• Partner with elders, educators and community members to develop talking points to influence legislation
• Collaborate with clients and other staff and interns to ensure that the stories of the Filipino WWII Veterans and their families are preserved
• Organize and facilitate educational workshops with other schools and student organizations.

Programming
• Help VEC staff in the hands-on operation of the weekly Food Distribution
• Learn more about immigration issues through our bi-monthly Immigration Legal Clinic
• Work with VEC staff in planning and facilitating fun and engaging social activities for seniors and other VEC clients
• Assist in outreach to VEC clients of upcoming events and program opportunities
• Gain experience in recruiting, organizing, and supervising other volunteers.

Bill Sorro Housing Program
• Learn more about affordable housing issues and gain experience in housing case management
• Help facilitate workshops and create literature on the current issues facing the South of Market community such as tenants rights and gentrification
• Outreach to South of Market residents, workers, and community based organizations on upcoming affordable housing opportunities
• Coordinate with the BiSHoP staff to do presentations and conduct educational forums on housing
• Partake in advocacy for SoMa community preservation by attending public hearings or community events.

Finance
• Assist Executive Director on managing a budget
• Help coordinating fun and innovative fundraisers
• Learn the grant writing process and develop skills to creatively sustain a program

Mano Po Internship Description – Spring 2013

Spring 2013 Internship Application