Founded in 1973 the Midwest Academy is a national training institute committed to advancing the struggle for social, economic, and racial justice. From local neighborhood groups to statewide and national organizations, Midwest Academy has trained over twenty-five thousand grassroots activists from hundreds of organizations and coalitions. Midwest Academy teaches an organizing philosophy, methods and skills that enable ordinary people to actively participate in the democratic process. Courses and consulting services are designed for progressive organizations and coalitions that utilize civic engagement activities to build citizen power at all levels of our democracy.

The Midwest Academy and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) announce a five month fellowship program for young people who are interested in working hard while exploring a career in social justice work, receiving good training, and contributing to the participation of new citizens in the American democratic process.

Participants will receive training in the skills of community organizing, nonpartisan voter registration and nonpartisan get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts from the Midwest Academy, a 32 year-old national training institute for direct action organizing (www.midwestacademy.com) and from Wellstone Action a national training program for electoral work. ICIRR (www.icirr.org) will provide training on immigration issues and working with immigrant communities.

Fellows will receive ten days of paid training, and will be placed with organizations in immigrant communities throughout the metro Chicago area. ICIRR staff will provide day-to-day supervision, along with staff in placement organizations. Midwest Academy staff will provide ongoing mentoring and training. Fellows will work with their placement organizations to develop local volunteer committees and carry out intensive voter registration campaigns, focusing on new citizens in immigrant communities. In the weeks leading up to the November 2006 election, the fellows will work with these volunteers to conduct GOTV activities. All work will be nonpartisan (not supporting a particular candidate or party), and will be carried out under 501c3 guidelines.

We are looking for applicants who are willing to work hard, who are ready for a challenge, and who are passionate about social justice and democratic participation. Previous experience is not required, although we anticipate that successful candidates will have been active in their communities in ways that demonstrate interest, concern, and an ability to work with a variety of people. Because fellows will be working with community volunteers and conducting extensive outreach, this will not be a 9-5 job, but will require commitment and flexibility.

Applicants who speak languages of targeted immigrant communities are especially encouraged to apply: Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Korean,  Tagalog, Vietnamese, Russian, etc.

Placements will be in the city of Chicago as well as in some or all of the following locations: Joliet, Aurora, Bridgeview, Elgin, Waukegan, Melrose Park, Niles, and possibly a location in DuPage County.

It will be essential to have full-time use of a car. We will pay mileage.

We anticipate that several fellows will be hired into full-time jobs at the end of the fellowship period. At the end of the project, we will work with all fellows who are interested in obtaining work in the field to provide assistance in applying for jobs, including career counseling, resume review, networking, and providing references.

Educational stipend of $325 per week.

To apply, please fill out the application form below and return it to Judy Hertz at mainterns@aol.com. SEND APPLICATION WITHIN THE EMAIL, DO NOT SEND ATTACHED FILES.

We will interview likely candidates either in person or by phone, beginning the week of April 3 and continuing until all spaces are filled.

If you have questions, please review the websites of the participating organizations first. Then email Judy Hertz, at mainterns@aol.com.

For more information about the Midwest Academy program contact:

Midwest Academy
Judy Hertz
28 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 605
Chicago, IL 60604

Phone: 312-427-2304
Fax: 312-427-2307

Email: Midwestacademy5@aol.com