[Spring 2025] Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (TVAP) Intern, IINE Boston

Spring 2025 Trafficking Victims Assistance Program [TVAP] Intern (IINE Boston)

The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

• Spring Internship: January through mid-May 2025
  (Applications requested by November 29th, considered thereafter until positions are filled)

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 16 hours per week over the course of the semester outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Please note that this internship will be a hybrid format, meaning that some in-person hours at our Boston, MA office are required.

TVAP Internship Overview

The Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (TVAP) Intern would work with victims recently out of trafficking working towards immigration status. Most clients are ineligible for services and benefits that clients of other New American status may receive. The TVAP program supports clients in a vulnerable time of post-trafficking.

Reports To: Lead TVAP Case Specialist
Location: Boston, MA (hybrid format)

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in trauma-informed care practices to support clients
• Supporting client intakes and enrollments to increase number of clients in TVAP program
• Assist staff with case management responsibilities, including:
  • Applying for temporary financial assistance (TAFDC, SNAP benefits, SSDI/SSI)
  • Assisting with client school enrollments
  • Advocating for health and social services
  • Accompanying clients to appointments on an as need basis
  • Navigation of the American healthcare system
  • Help to coordinate referrals to a wide variety of social services
• Complete in-person client interactions to support with client skill development, including:
  • Digital literacy
  • Transportation navigation
• Ensure clients are properly registered in all appropriate systems
• Review and update client records at Case Specialist's direction including case notes
• Support with affidavits and status on reunification for Central American Minors Program

Qualifications:

• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues
• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers/non-English speakers
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Language skills in Spanish and/or Portuguese strongly preferred
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding when working with clients who are coming from places of vulnerability and/or prior abuse
• Experience interacting with social welfare agencies highly desirable
• Experience advocating on behalf of others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop sensitivity and empathy skills when working with non-native English speakers
2. Understand the pre- and post-trafficking experiences of clients and how to support clients in obtaining legal status
3. Identify best practices associated with Central American Minors Program
4. Improve conversational skills in Spanish and/or Portuguese
5. Recognize common challenges faced by victims of trafficking
6. Respectfully express and engage with ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment.
7. Capture important information from client meetings and check-ins to support concise case notes and documenting client progress