Modern Slavery Emerges from the Shadows

Break the Chain’s own Tiffany Williams is featured in this article which addresses the culture of fear that comes from increased immigration enforcement and keeps trafficking victims for coming forward for fear of deportation.

“What we’ve seen on the ground is that the more aggressive they are with these [enforcement] programs, where they’re allowing local police to arrest people for being undocumented, the more that the Secure Communities programs and others are growing, the less likely it is that an immigrant survivor would be willing to come forward and ask for help,” Williams says, referring to victims of trafficking and other crimes. “It impedes our work significantly,” she adds.

Now We're Talking--NYT Editorial

Great New York Times editorial addressing the importance of keeping issues of border enforcement and paths to citizenship separate in any legislation focused on comprehensive immigration reform.

“President Obama plans to speak on immigration on Tuesday. We hope he stands firm on a realistic hope for citizenship, and acknowledges the unnecessary toll that overbroad enforcement — including his own — has taken on those whose legalization he has lately been championing.”

VOLUNTEER: Graphic Designer/Factsheet Designer Needed!

We are looking for one person to take several existing factsheets- all currently in Word form - and turn them into a unified series of factsheets with a similar aesthetic. Most of them are 2 pages (front and back). We are looking for something very modern, clean, and bright and include graphics to make them more interesting (e.g., charts, images).

This is a volunteer (unpaid) project, but you can be credited as the designer in the footer of the factsheets and receive a written recommendation (or we can serve as a reference for your future endeavors).

Ideally we are looking for someone who can commit to finishing all the current factsheets by the end of January, and who can either stay on for ocassional work (a new factsheet every 3-4 months) or who can leave the template for us for future factsheets.

To apply please send a short letter of interest describing experience, availability/timeline and a few samples of your work to tiffany@ips-dc.org

Source: idealist.org

INTERNSHIP: Worker/Immigrant Rights Position!

Break the Chain Campaign is a project of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC. For 13 years, we have provided direct social services for domestic workers (nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers) who have survived human trafficking and worker exploitation. Currently, we focus on research, writing, policy advocacy, and training, all based on our direct service experience and our commitment to a rights-based approach. We work to deepen the connections between parallel movements of human rights, immigrant rights, worker rights, climate justice, trade and tax fairness, and demilitarization, through the lens of domestic workers fighting for justice in the US and around the world.

Project Description: The focus of this internship will be

1) Immigration rights, particularly immigrant women and families, and the rights of immigrant survivors of crime; and

2) Worker rights, particularly workers in industries historically excluded from labor protections- domestic workers, day laborers, farmworkers, and guestworkers, among others.

The work will primarily involve research, writing, and attending policy/advocacy meetings and events, with some administrative work (database entry, meeting minutes, filing, etc.) is required of all interns, but will be a small percentage of your time. We are a busy project so there is plenty of concrete work to be done! You will represent Break the Chain Campaign on national calls, at DC meetings, and will blog about your issues. You will also have the opportunity to create factsheets and other longer written materials.

Please send a cover letter describing your interest areas and experience, a resume, a relevant writing sample (2-3 pages), and your dates/hours of availability

Email all materials in PDF or .doc form as attachments to tiffany@ips-dc.org

Women of color and bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged. Some experience in legislative, community organizing, or media work is preferred but not required. You should have a good sense of humor and a relaxed attitude, but be able to meet serious, sometimes last-minute deadlines and high expectations for independence and professionalism. Thanks!

Source: idealist.org

VOLUNTEER: French Interpreter Needed!

We are seeking an intepreter fluent in French (for a client from Africa) who is available for a full day of legal interpreting at the end of December (we are considering December 21st). Someone located in the District of Columbia or in Maryland would be ideal.

We are a small organization with limited funds for direct services, so we are seeking someone who is available on a pro-bono/volunteer basis.

Prior experience in a legal setting is highly desirable, and you must consent to interpreter guidelines and confidentiality because of the sensitive nature of our work.

Please send a resume a short letter of interest/experience, and a reference to tiffany@ips-dc.org

Source: idealist.org