The LACS Internship program is designed for undergraduate students to gain first-hand experience in working on Latin American/Latino issues in the wider community. Students must be LACS Minors and gain official permission from the LACS Director to enroll in LAC 488 (3 credits). Though normally taken during the junior or senior year, LACS Minors are free to enroll in an internship during any year. The list of potential internships below (last updated Fall 2023) is a guide, but students are also free to discuss other organizations or internships with the LACS Director. To earn proper credit, LACS student interns are expected to complete between 40-50 hours of service for their chosen supervising organization, maintain a work log of hours, and submit a final narrative report (6-8 pages) to the LACS Director about their internship experience and accomplishments.
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CARECEN-NY (Central American Refugee Center)CARECEN provides legal assistance, social work services, and community programs to immigrant communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, with offices in Hempstead and Brentwood. Interns are needed to assist with interpreting, teaching ESL, legal administrative work, and other services. See the website for contact information.
Contact: Maria Zoco, Immigrant Program Coordinator mzoco@carecenny.org, Brentwood office: 631-273-8721
RIVERA-JULKA LAW GROUP is an immigration law firm based in Bay Shore, Long Island. The firm represent individuals and companies, in the United States and abroad, in their immigration matters. Rivera-Julka specializes in visa applications, green cards, asylum and refugees, deportation, juvenile status, and temporary protected status. We pride ourselves with providing quality, efficient, and professional services. The firm caters to the needs of Long Island’s growing immigrant community, particularly from Latin America. They look for interns who are interested in learning about the intricacies and reality of the U.S. immigration system. Advanced Spanish language skills are highly favored as most of our work involves Spanish language interactions, Spanish-English interpreting, and document translation. Our office prides itself in our diverse and welcoming environment as well as our hands-on learning.
Contact: Christopher Luna: chris@riverajulka.com, 631-647-9040.
SEPA MUJER SEPA Mujer has been working to support immigrant women on Long Island since 1993, bringing together community members and advocates to speak out against injustice, provide access to opportunities and services, take a stand against domestic violence and other abuses, and to push for social change. Bilingual interns needed to work with clients to complete their legal application, work in legislative records and research, and participate in community organizing and legislative advocacy. More information at sepamujer.org.
Contact: info@sepamujer.org, (631) 980-2555
BILDNER CENTER FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERIC STUDIES is located in mid-town Manhattan at the CUNY Graduate Center. They are looking for interns to help coordinate events and maintain the center's web page, while offering an opportunity to expand your horizons and knowledge about Latin America, especially, Brazil and Cuba. Interested students should email a letter of interest with your resume to Rosalina Lopez.
Contact: Rosalina Lopez atrlopez@gc.cuny.edu, (212) 817-2096
CLEMENTE SOLO VÉLEZ CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL CENTER (NYC) The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. is a Puerto Rican/Latinx multi-arts cultural institution that has demonstrated a broad-minded cultural vision and inclusive philosophy rooted in NYC’s Lower East Side/Loisaida. They offer internships in the areas of communicationsandart managements, and research fellowships in Public Health and Latinx studies. Interested students should email a letter of interest with your resume to Libertad Guerra at lguerra@theclementecenter.org
Contact: exhibitions@theclementecenter.org, lguerra@theclementecenter.org,
(212) 260-4080
El MUSEO DEL BARRIO (NYC) Hands-on museum education and practical museum work experience; help with workshops and other educational materials. For enhanced understanding of Latin American arts and culture.
Contact: Donna Lalwani, dpodhayny@elmuseo.org
EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER A legal advocacy organization that works directly with immigrant rights organizations on Long Island and beyond. We seek Spanish-speaking, bilingual interns with an interest in learning about the legal justice system and working in advocacy.
Contact: Zoraida Espinal (631) 533- 5280, zespinal@empirejustice.org
HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HACU) (Washington D.C.), (paid) Internship Programs. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities offers virtual and onsite opportunities for college students to obtain career experience in the federal government nationwide. Interns also attend workshop sessions and webinars offered to enhance career development. Students interested in applying for HNIP are invited through our website.
Contact: hnip@hacu.net or HNIP line at (202) 467-0893
INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMICS AND PEACE (IEP) The Institute for Economics and Peace is the world’s leading think tank dedicated to developing metrics to analyze peace and to quantify its economic benefits. Interns have the opportunity to work on researching country reports for Latin America, help to assemble the IEP’s renown “peace indices,” and engage in public media and legislative advocacy. The New York office is located in Manhattan. Please note this position is UNPAID. A montly unlimited MetroCard, computer and desk space will be provided, as well as a UN Grounds Pass allowing you to attend the majority of events at the UN's Headquarters in NY.
Contact: Jade Cooper, jcooper@economicsandpeace.org
LITERACY SUFFOLK INC. A pro-literacy (ESL) organization dedicated to supporting adults in need of literacy services. Literacy Suffolk seeks interns to enrich the lives of our students and their families. Located in Bellport, NY.
Contact: Susan Fhilony, admin@literacysuffolk.org, 631-286-1649
LONG ISLAND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS ADVOCATES (LIISA) The Long Island Immigrant Students Advocates is an organization that advocates for equal educational opportunities for immigrant students regardless of immigration status. It provides leadership development and resources to immigrant students to allow them to pursue their professional studies.
Contact: Osman Canales, liisaedu@gmail.com.
LONG ISLAND MUSEUM Interns assist in a variety of functions, including help in curating exhibitions, writing catalogue text and engaging with visitors. Located in the village of Stony Brook.
Contact: Beth Chiarelli, bchiarelli@longislandmuseum.org
MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK Make the Road New York builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through community organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and the provision of high quality legal and survival services.
Contact: Món Robles (they/them/elle) Mon.Robles@maketheroadny.org, 718-565-8500 x4134
MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE (NYC, Mid-town) The Mexican government sponsors this autonomous institute devoted to diffusion of Mexico’s cultural contributions (in plastic arts, film, writing, scholarship) and to cultural exchange. Sophisticated program provides student insights into cultural policy and Latin American arts. Hours are flexible. Interns assist in events and programming.
Contact: Carlota Mariel, programs@mciny.org, 212-217-6478 and Hector Solorio, admin@mciny.org, 212-217-5915
NACLA North American Congress on Latin America (New York City, Upper West Side) 5-6 hours weekly, helping with cutting edge research on Latin American political and human rights issues for this renowned periodical. Demanding.
Contact: Heather Gies, hgies@nacla.org, (212) 992-6965
OLA A nonprofit advocacy agency committed to promoting social, economic, cultural, and educational development within Long Island’s East End Latino and Hispanic communities. Interns gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, with potential opportunities for special projects depending on the applicant’s skills. For more information call (631) 899-3441 or visit their website.
Contact: Minerva Perez, mperez@olaofeasternlongisland.org, (631) 899-3441
PUERTO RICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND (NYC) Broad-based organization working in Litigation, Education and Policy areas affecting Latinos and Puerto Rico. Students with a pre-law educational focus are preferred. Applicants accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Contact: https://www.latinojustice.org/en/careers
RURAL AND MIGRANT MINISTRY (RMM) works to defend the legal, labor and social rights of rural immigrant farmworkers in New York State. There are a range of semester and summer internships, several of which offer a stipend. Options range from youth empowerment, to conference and camp organizing, to outreach with farmworker leadership. The organization has positions in the Mid-Hudson Valley, Lyons (on the northern border by Lake Ontario), and Long Island, as well as doing legislative campaign organizing from NYC.
Contact: Katia Chapman: ktachapman@gmail.com
STUDY ABROAD LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN/SPAIN Interns who wish to study or work in Latin America or the Caribbean should investigate possibilities available through the Stony Brook “Study Abroad Office,” which can be a gateway to SUNY-sponsored travel programs to various regions of South America, Spain, and the Caribbean.
Contact: studyabroad@stonybrook.edu, 631-632-7030, or visit the Stuby Abroad office at the Melville Library E-5340
TEATRO YERBA BRUJA The Teatro Yerba Bruja is an independent theater company and a grassroots organization in Central Islip that is inspired to make a difference through social change. Its mission is to connect community, art, and education to create a positive impact in the lives of Latinos on Long Island. Interns help coordinate all aspects of theater programming and community outreach.
Contact: Margarita Espada, teatroyerbabruja@gmail.com, 631-626-3603