Corporate Communication Internship
Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative
Lewis Walker Institute for Race and Ethnic Relations
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5236
Tel - 269-387-2678
Fax - 269-387-2789
Email- pri@haltpoverty.org
Website - http://www.haltpoverty.org/
Internship objective: The student intern represents the Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative at group meetings and public gatherings. S/he will write news releases, prepare publications and PSA announcements, create promotional brochures and do event planning for the Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative
About the interning organization: The Kalamazoo Poverty Reduction Initiative was formed in March 2003. With a core group of 14 community organizations, the Initiative is dedicated to effectively attacking the causes of poverty throughout the community. These organizations are: The City of Kalamazoo; Community Task Force Against Poverty; County of Kalamazoo; Goodwill Industries of SW Michigan; Greater Kalamazoo United Way; Kalamazoo Community Action Bureau; Kalamazoo County Community Mental Health; Kalamazoo County Family Independence Agency; Kalamazoo Public Schools; Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce; Kalamazoo Valley Community College; Open Door Ministries; W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research; and Western Michigan University.
The Initiative establishes an improved method of coordinating and integrating current poverty reduction efforts, with clear lines of accountability. The systemic integration that the Initiative promotes is intended to provide more effective and efficient delivery of services, and gives a clearer understanding of gaps and how to fill them.
The four strategic focus areas for the Initiative include: increasing the number of citizens taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), preventing homelessness and supporting access to safe affordable housing, increasing workforce development opportunities for low-income residents of Kalamazoo County; and assisting local leaders with successful poverty reduction efforts in the Edison neighborhood.
Interning organizations mission: The mission of the Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative "to improve the quality of life for all citizens by effectively alleviating the causes, consequences, and incidence of poverty in Kalamazoo".
Goals:
1) Dramatically increase resources available to individuals, families and community by:
Connecting existing resources;
Enhancing existing resources;
Seeking and securing new resources for needs not met elsewhere.
2) Engage institutional systems in collaborative, mutually accountable partnerships working together toward the mission.
3) Develop and sustain a structure capable of accomplishing the mission.
Semesters interns are needed: fall, spring, summer I and summer II annually
Number of interns needed: 1
Start date: On or near the first day of the semester, negotiable
End date: On or near the last day of the semester, negotiable
Hours per week: 10-15 hours per week/depending upon the number of weeks scheduled to intern.
Academic qualifications: Declared major in Organizational Communication, Public Relations, Communication Studies or a declared minor in Communication. Students should have completed Com 3500 and Com 2800.
Proficiency with Page Maker is required.
Desired skills and qualifications: Student interns should have some background and interest in Public Relations and Event Planning.
Excellent writing and speaking skills
Course work in public relations, communication or marketing
Good organizational skills
Dress professionally
Friendly and outgoing personality
Willingness to spend time learning about Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative programs
Interns responsibilities: Responsibilities may include: event planning and hosting, newsletter production, press release preparation, logo development coordination, creation of a media list and media kit, brochure development, PowerPoint presentation development, updating web site, assisting with economic development, and other responsibilities as delegated by Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative staff.
Location:
Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative
Lewis Walker Institute for Race and Ethnic Relations
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5236
Tel - 269-387-2678
Fax - 269-387-2789
Email- pri@haltpoverty.org
Website - http://www.haltpoverty.org/
Intern sponsor:
Dorilee J. Schieble, Interim Director
Poverty Reduction Initiative
Poverty Reduction Initiative
Credit: College credit toward communication major, minor or general electives. One hour of college credit is earned for 40 hours of work.
Interested Students should contact:
Dorilee J. Schieble, Interim Director
Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative
Lewis Walker Institute for Race & Ethnic Relations
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5236
Tel - 269-387-2141
pri@haltpoverty.org
http://www.haltpoverty.org/
Evaluation: The final grade will be determined by Internship Coordinator Marilyn Kritzman and will be based upon the following:
The student’s journal/log/observation of all intern activities
The student’s copy of all work produced, including progress toward submitted learning objectives
Final paper
The internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation
The internship sponsor final evaluation
Method of Evaluation:
Student’s journal/log: 20%
Student’s work: 20 %
Paper: 20%
Internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation: 20%
Internship sponsor final evaluation: 20%
Calendar:
E-mail updates to faculty sponsor every month.
Additional communication via email, phone or in person as needed
All materials are to be submitted to Marilyn Kritzman on the Wednesday of final weeks of the semester/session registered.
Internship sponsor evaluation due half way through the internship
Internship sponsor final evaluation due the Wednesday of finals week with the rest of the material. It may be submitted with the student’s materials in a sealed envelope, or the sponsor may submit it separately by the due date.
Student’s signature
Intern sponsor’s (at internship site) signature
Coordinator of Undergraduate Internship’s (Marilyn S. Kritzman) signature
