Lincoln Plaza
89 South St Ste 203
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617/529-0563
Web address: http://www.csioboston.org
Email: kevin@csioboston.org
Contact Person:
Mr. Kevin Whalen
Organization Description:
Formed in 1999, CSIO supports and helps develop the work of individuals, groups, organizations and communities dedicated to organizing immigrants around the issues that affect their lives. Our goal is to help immigrants in the forefront of community and workplace struggles to develop their power and leadership not only to succeed in their immediate context, but also to contribute to the broader effort to build a more just and democratic society.
Opportunities for Student Involvement:
ACADEMIC YEAR -- Academic year programs in which students can take leadership include:
The Grassroots Leadership Institute: CSIO provides a 5-session leadership curriculum for immigrant organizers, activists and directors that focuses on the "how to's" of developing immigrant leadership in social change efforts. Sessions include root cause analysis, facilitation, membership development, organizational planning & campaign development. Fall/winter 2023 Institute will be provided in Spanish with the Latinx-led Lynn Worker Center.
Grassroots Leadership Network: CSIO brings together organizers, leaders and activists to hold dialogues and learning sessions that build the immigrant movement. The 2023-24 GLN brings together Latinx leaders locally, nationally and internationally to build solidarity and greater insight into community organizing strategies. It will be facilitated in Spanish.
Equity Now & Beyond is an immigrant health equity cohort that is coordinated by Center to Support Immigrant Organizing and led by grassroots immigrant groups Brazilian Women’s Group, African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE), True Alliance Center/Haitian Americans United and Agencia ALPHA. EN&B brings these communities together to build greater health equity in all immigrant communities. Each grassroots community group is led by, serves, and organizes its immigrant constituents in their native language – Haitian Creole, Somali, Arabic, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. Groups integrate EN&B health equity organizing into an array of community supports and programs that address the social and structural determinants of health. 2023-24 projects include hosting community wellness clinics, advocacy for affordable housing and several organizing campaigns that fight against government cutbacks in essential resources after the Covid emergency ended.
Youth Ubuntu Project (YUP) is a collaborative project between the Center to Support Immigrant Organizing (CSIO) & African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE). Launched in 2013, YUP's mission is to develop immigrant teen grassroots leadership in social justice efforts and build unity and solidarity among youth in Boston's diverse immigrant communities. In 2023-24 YUP will offer an after school program for immigrant teens that weaves together leadership development, solidarity, homework support, college preparation and social/emotional health.
Student areas of responsibilities in the above programs and campaigns: Academic year placement tasks include: help do logistics for trainings and networking activities; take notes at planning meetings and convenings; facilitate network activities; help develop workshops and other activities; help develop and update web-site with current information on activities; do media and public relations work for initiatives and CSIO; participate in program planning meetings and CSIO staff meetings where possible; help do research around the initiatives, including pursuing potential funding sources. And many more!
SUMMER PLACEMENTS -- Students can also apply for a Field Education placement during the summers to help coordinate either the 7-week intensive summer immigrant youth leadership program or Equity Now & Beyond.
Commute/Transportation Information:
CSIO is located a block from South Station, a stop on the MBTA red-line.
Arts of Ministry Competencies Offered:
- Administration and Program Development
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Public Leadership, Community Organizing, and Planning
- Religious Education and Spiritual Development
Supervision:
Students will be supervised by Kevin Whalen of Center to Support Immigrant Organizing. CSIO will hold weekly supervision meetings with students. Students will reflect on the strategies and goals of immigrant leadership, capacity building and solidarity.
Additional Information:
- Number of Students: 2
- Total Compensation: $6000.00
- Type of Compensation: Work Study
- Additional Notes: • Additional Notes: Bi-cultural/bi-lingual students from Latinx, Haitian, Brazilian or African communities and students from African American communities are particularly desired, as most of our leadership development work is conducted with these communities. Students should call Field Education supervisor Kevin Whalen at CSIO at 617-529-0563 or send an e-mail to kevin@csioboston.org for more information and to schedule an interview. CSIO is located at 89 South Street, #203, Boston, MA 02111 (one block from South Station).