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About Sakhi

Internship Duties

What do interns at Sakhi usually do?

Click on the links below to learn more about internship responsibilities in each program area.

- Community Engagement Program:

Community Engagement
through Media, Graphic Design and Web Development

Community Engagement: Outreach

- Development Program
- Domestic Violence Program (Internships for this program are now closed for Summer 2010)
- Economic Empowerment Program
- Operations / Domestic Violence Internship
- Legal / Policy Internship
- Volunteer Coordination

Community Engagement Program

A significant part of Sakhi’s work includes community education and outreach. We believe that in order to build a violence-free society, we must engage all members of our community in taking responsibility to condemn and eliminate domestic violence. Sakhi works towards this mission of community awareness by conducting workshops and participating in a variety of community events, including local and national conferences. As part of its Community Engagement Program, Sakhi offers two separate internships: the Community Outreach Internship and the Media Internship.

In the process of interacting with the community, Sakhi uses a number of media tools to inform people about domestic violence as an issue, as well as about Sakhi’s work. We also develop media-based campaigns to engage community members in dialogue about ending and preventing violence. Some of the media tools include our newsletter Community Bol, our four videos, print materials such as postcards, and of course, our website.

Sakhi also works closely with the press during times of major events. Press releases are written to inform the community about Sakhi events as well as to respond to major issues that relate to Sakhi’s mission.

Community Engagement through Media

Internship responsibilities include:

• Assisting with writing and sending press releases and press invitations;
• Tracking articles and video coverage of Sakhi and archiving these materials;
• Assisting with the production of Sakhi’s newsmagazine Community Bol; and,
• Some administrative work as necessary.

For the Community Engagement through Media internship, Sakhi seeks candidates with:

• A media, social communications, or public relations background;
• Media production/desktop publishing skills, including knowledge of Photoshop or similar programs;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently;
• Fluency and confidence interacting in one or more South Asian languages (particularly Bengali);
• An ability to commit to 15 hours of work per week (including evenings and weekends); and,
• An interest in and commitment to women's rights advocacy.

Community Engagement through Outreach

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating volunteers for outreach events and conducting outreach as necessary.
• Following up on outreach events such as maintaining lists of new contacts, adding new members to the community list, etc.  
• Assisting with the Communities Taking Charge campaign in Richmond Hill.
• Some administrative work such as faxing, filing, follow-up, thank-you letters, etc.; and
• Other assistance with projects as necessary.

For the Community Outreach internship, Sakhi seeks interns with:

• Familiarity and ease with the South Asian community, particularly the Richmond Hill, Jackson Heights and/or Coney Island Avenue neighborhoods;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently;
• Fluency and confidence interacting in one or more South Asian languages (particularly Bengali);
• An ability to commit to 15 hours of work per week (including evenings and weekends); and,
• An interest in and commitment to women's rights advocacy

Development Program

Sakhi’s Development Program seeks to raise funds through various avenues in order to ensure the continuity of Sakhi programs and services for survivors of violence and community change efforts. Without adequate funding, Sakhi could not exist nor conduct its groundbreaking work. The Development Program raises funds through grants and proposal writing, as well as special event planning.

Internship responsibilities include:

• Researching grants and assisting in the production of proposals and grant reports;
• Monitoring grant deadlines and researching new opportunities for funding;
• Attending fundraising and networking events;
• Assisting in coordination of various Sakhi fundraising events including the annual gala benefit;
• Assisting with acknowledgement of donors; and,
• Developing materials for soliciting individual donors during Sakhi’s direct mail campaigns.

For internships in the Development Program, Sakhi seeks interns with:

• Excellent writing and research skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Some knowledge of fundraising;
• Special Events or Public Relations background;
• Ability to commit to 15 hours of work per week; and,
• An interest and commitment to women’s rights advocacy.

Domestic Violence Program (Internships for this program are now closed for Summer 2010)

The Domestic Violence Program works directly with survivors to assist them in attaining what they need to move towards happier, healthier lives. Candidates with direct services experience and/or graduate level study are encouraged to apply.

Internship responsibilities include:

• Conducting first-time and follow-up intakes and assisting with case work;
• Helping women navigate the New York State legal system by providing them with available information and resources;
• Working as a liaison between a lawyer and survivor and submitting written reports to DV program staff and others, as required;
• Assisting in educating survivors on issues of physical and emotional health and providing them with health and medical assistance referrals;
• Helping to develop and maintain a provider network of health care professionals who can offer culturally-competent and sensitive services to Sakhi survivors;
• Assisting DV program staff in the organization of monthly support groups which include support groups focusing on health related issues. DV Interns are required to attend all support groups occurring during their Internship period;
• Accompanying survivors to court, public benefit offices, public precincts, hospitals and doctors’ office and shelters;
• Assisting in expanding and maintaining Sakhi's pro-bono legal network;
• Assisting in growing the Health Provider Network accessing free or low cost healthcare;
• Attending trainings and updates on relevant topics in the field;
• Assisting with policy-related research and DV program projects as assigned, depending upon individual interest, experience, and availability of projects; and,
• Administrative and office-related program work.

For an internship in the Domestic Violence program, Sakhi seeks candidates with:

• A background in domestic violence, social work, public health, and/or human rights;
• Fluency and confidence interacting in one or more South Asian languages (particularly Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu);
• Willingness to travel outside the office to interface with other public- and private-sector service providers;
• Willingness to assist with the facilitation of children's activities during support groups and workshops;
• Excellent writing and documentation skills;
• An ability to commit to 12 to 15 hours of work per week including some weekend hours; and,
• An interest and commitment to women’s rights advocacy.
• We are especially seeking Domestic Violence program interns with Bangla/Bengali language skills and Hindi and/or Punjabi language skills.

Economic Empowerment Program

Sakhi’s Economic Empowerment (EE) programming works to empower survivors of violence in earning their own livings and pursuing their own careers. We offer basic computer literacy courses that provide women instruction in resume-writing, internet job search navigation, development in English communication skills, and training in Microsoft and Excel proficiency. We also provide workshops focused on employee rights, starting a small business, and financial literacy – including bank loans, budgeting, investing, retirement funds, and education savings accounts. Through the Swarna Chalasani Economic Empowerment Fund, we provide small grants to qualified survivors for career and continuing education opportunities at accredited institutions.

Internship responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Economic Empowerment Coordinator with coordination, recruitment, and facilitation of communication skills or computer classes;
• Assisting survivors during classes;
• Helping to coordinate and plan children’s activities during workshops; and,
• Researching and compiling economic advancement resources including educational institutions, professional licensing institutions, free ESL classes, scholarships, job training programs, and best practices for economic empowerment.

For an internship in the Economic Empowerment program, Sakhi seeks candidates with:

• A background in Economics, Internet/Technology, or Finance;
• Some experience in recruiting economic, financial or job skills training services;
• Fluency and confidence interacting in one or more South Asian languages (particularly Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu);
• An ability to commit to 15 hours of work per week including weekends; and,
• An interest and commitment to women’s rights advocacy.

Operations / Domestic Violence Internship

Administrative and Program Support

The Operations / DV Internship will focus on ensuring that Sakhi’s ongoing operations work is efficiently completed through administrative support.  In addition, one major component of the Operations / DV internship will be interfacing with survivors of violence in the capacity as a computer lab assistant. This will require both a comfort level with answering basic technology-related questions as well as the ability to use discretion in respecting the confidentiality of the women using the lab. 

The Operations intern will learn a lot about all of our program areas, as she/he will be asked to assist, when possible in these programs. She/he may also be asked to attend various functions and events and wear a number of different hats while providing vital administrative support to the organization.

Administrative Support

• Perform necessary day-to day administrative support for the organization. Tasks may include purchasing supplies, making phone calls, gathering information and contacts, coordinating external photocopying;
• Provide front desk coverage;
• Assist in children’s activities;
• Ensure that the office space is kept organized. Research ways that the organization can use its office space more efficiently;  
• Conduct routine filing and maintenance of office supplies;
• Assist with simple Access database projects, (under direct supervision);
• Help update the Operations Manual;
• Assist with the office mail. Provide support for office mailing projects.

Computer Lab Assistance

• Answer questions as survivors navigate the web using Internet Explorer and use the Microsoft Office 2003 suite (Bangla/Bengali/Hindi/Urdu and/or Punjabi language skills preferred);
• Perform basic PC maintenance and inventory in the computer lab setting;
• Liaison with Direct Services staff / case managers on the progress of survivors;

Legal / Policy Internship

Join Sakhi at an exciting time in our ongoing development as we seek to strengthen and expand our existing policy programs (such as our Faith-Based Initiative, Court Interpreters Project and Economic Empowerment Program) and also develop new initiatives that will incorporate principles of economic justice, reproductive justice and domestic implementation of the international human rights framework.  We are looking for a bright, innovative individual who understands the importance of translating our direct services work into advocacy and policy analysis to address the causes and consequences of violence against women and to advocate for reform, the dismantling of barriers and proactive solutions to better respond to the needs of survivors of domestic violence from the South Asian Diaspora, as well as women worldwide who are victims of gender-based violence.  

Internship responsibilities include:

• Play a central force within all sectors of Sakhi’s work. The Legal/Policy intern reports to the Executive Director but also works closely with the entire Sakhi staff in order to ensure that Sakhi’s mission to end violence and achieve social change is fulfilled. 
• Work on policy and advocacy initiatives that would assist survivors of violence in the South Asian community and further the cause of combating gender-based violence in general.
• Will strive to ensure that barriers to accessing support and services faced by survivors of violence are dismantled, that the criminal justice system is responsive with appropriate and adequate remedies, and that we translate the lessons learned and expertise gained from working individually with women onto a larger policy arena so that we can better advocate for policies and measures to better address and combat violence against women. 
• Will conduct intakes and process orders of protection, liaise with partners on VAWA petitions, provide court accompaniments and assist in developing legal strategies to respond to barriers to care and support faced by survivors of domestic violence.

Major areas of work include:

• Assist survivors by helping them to complete reports, draft orders of protection, etc.;
• Assist with activities related to policy advocacy on court interpretation and other language access barriers;
• Liaise with domestic violence organizations and programs at the local, state, and national level;
• Develop legal strategies and conduct legal research on enforcement of local, state and federal laws governing violence against women
• Liaise with organizations involved in VAWA reauthorization, conduct policy analysis regarding VAWA, I-VAWA and use of CEDAW in local activism
• Conduct research and draft reports on Sakhi’s existing faith-based initiative
• Conduct research and advocacy strategies on applying the international human rights framework to Sakhi’s domestic violence work.

For an internship as a Legal/Policy Intern, Sakhi seeks candidates with:

• Excellent legal research and writing skills and an ability to do creative legal research, writing, and advocacy;
• An ability to read, understand and synthesize data compiled from focus groups and other social science research material and data;
• Commitment to human rights, combating violence against women, economic justice, reproductive justice and criminal justice reform;
• Commitment to collaborative cross-cultural work, including the ability to work well with people in diverse settings, and the ability to connect policy and legal advocacy with direct services provided to survivors;
• Fluency in one or more South Asian languages, especially Hindi, Urdu, and/or Bengali preferred but not required; and
• Excellent public speaking skills and leadership qualities.

To learn more historical information about Sakhi's policy work, please click here.

Volunteer Coordination Internship

Volunteers are an integral part of Sakhi’s success and their commitment and expertise is needed in all our program areas. The Volunteer Coordination intern ensures Sakhi is able to effectively draw upon our community to involve volunteers in our program activities.

The Volunteer Coordination Intern position includes the following responsibilities:

• Responding to intern & volunteer requests;
• Tracking current intern & volunteer hours;
• Coordinating bi-monthly volunteer meetings;
• Generating weekly e-mails for volunteer activities;
• Coordinating intern recruitment, interviewing with program staff, and follow-up;
• Coordinating volunteer trainings as needed, and,
• Other tasks as assigned.
• Sakhi is seeking a candidate with the following skills:
• Independent worker who likes to take initiative;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task;
• Ability to commit to 15 hours per week; and,
• An interest and commitment to women’s rights advocacy.