Interns? Yes, please!
The Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom (HCJF) is a nonprofit legal organization that enforces housing and workplace rights for low-wage workers. We believe that working people of all races and backgrounds will have the power and influence to ensure that everyone can live a full life free of abuse, exploitation, and poverty.
As a small nonprofit, we cannot do this on our own! Internships and volunteer positions play an integral part in making this work possible. HCJF is seeking interns for the Spring, Summer, and Fall to support its eviction defense, litigation, and organizing programs, which seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to housing and a fair wage.
Generally, interns are expected to complete Full-Time Summer Internships for 10+ weeks and Part-Time Spring and Fall Term Internships for 10+ hours/week. Students must receive either scholarships or institutional funding, course credit, or fulfill pro-bono hours requirements to intern with HCJF.
To apply: Please submit a short cover letter, resume, a writing sample (no more than 10 pages), transcript, and a list of 3 references via email to info@jobsandfreedom.org. Put the subject line as “HCJF Intern” and your desired term in the subject line (i.e., “HCJF Intern Fall 2027”).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Take a minute to read the interview, located below, with our Summer 2017 intern, Dufie Owusu.
Dufie Owusu
UMKC School of Law, 2nd Year Student
Summer 2017 Intern
How will this internship help you succeed at law school and/or the future? This internship gives me an opportunity to get a hands-on approach in the legal field. The practical experience I gain here hones in on my problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities which, I believe, will make me well-equipped for my practice in the future. While law school gives me a firm, theoretical foundation in the legal field, the practical experience I gain during this internship will help me make sense of these concepts and theories I am learning in school.
What’s the most significant thing you’ve learned? The most important thing I have learned is the value of initiative. My interaction with various clients has exposed me to the different realities that people face. And I have come to understand that my collaborative efforts with a motivated team that takes action and develops pragmatic solutions, go a long way to improve people’s lives.
What has been the best part of your experience so far? The best part of my experience has been the people I work with (i.e. Gina and Amanda). I feel valued and appreciated here. My opinion and work input are valued, and have a direct impact on affairs in the organization. Gina and Amanda meet me half way, and involve me in strategizing and preparing for lawsuits, client meetings, workshops, to name a few. They are dependable and are always ready to answer any questions I have, as well as provide constructive feedback on my work.
What are some things you worked on this summer? I had the opportunity to sink my teeth into drafting complaints, memoranda, motions, and presenting at workshops.
Was the work challenging? What about it was challenging? Yes, the work was challenging and for that reason I was always excited to get up and go to work. What was challenging about the work was being cautious in communicating with clients to avoid misinformation, and ensuring that people were provided with accurate information at our educational workshops. Also, brainstorming with the team to figure out the best way to approach a case was challenging knowing that we were dealing with real cases involving real people, and the direct effect our plan of action had on their lives.
In 3 words how would you describe the internship?
Exciting, fulfilling experience!