The MinKwon Center for Community Action (formerly YKASEC)
Summer 2011 Internship
Foreclosure Legal Intern
The MinKwon Center for Community Action (formerly YKASEC) was established in 1984 to meet the needs and concerns of the Korean American community through our five program areas: Community Organizing and Advocacy, Social and Legal Services, Civic Participation, Youth Empowerment, and Culture. Since our founding, we have made a profound presence in the Korean American community through various grassroots organizing, education, and advocacy initiatives that address important community issues, including immigration policies at the national, state and city levels, voter rights, and culture awareness. The MinKwon Center places a special emphasis on meeting the needs of our marginalized community members, including youth, elderly, recent immigrants, low-income residents, and limited-English-proficient residents.
One branch of the MinKwon Center’s Social Services Program is its Homelessness Prevention Services. Many Korean American homeowners have been struggling to maintain their home by making mortgage payments on time during this tough economy. The MinKwon Center has taken an active role in educating and helping these homeowners get through the foreclosure crisis by (1) assisting homeowners apply for loan modifications and other alternative foreclosure prevention options, (2) conducting educational workshops, (3) providing one-on-one counseling and direct assistance, (4) representing homeowners at settlement conferences, etc.
Internship Description
- Maintaining direct contact with Korean clients through counseling and follow-up
- Researching various laws and policies on the foreclosure process, Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), etc.
- Preparing and conducting educational workshops on relevant issues related to foreclosure prevention
- Managing the client database
Details of Internship
- Supervision: Intern is supervised by the Staff Attorney handling foreclosure prevention.
- Compensation: While internships are unpaid positions, academic credit has been arranged in the past.
- Hours: Interns are expected to work full-time for a minimum of 40 hours per a week.
- Duration: The internship runs from June to August 2011. Specific internship dates can be discussed in person.
Requirements
- Language proficiency in English (Korean preferred)
- Strong organizational skills and independence, requiring minimal supervision
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication (writing and oral) skills
- Proficiency in Word and Excel
- Have the desire to empower the Asian American community
Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Due to a high number of applications, only the applicants who are granted an interview will be contacted. Please submit a cover letter and resume by
May 6, 2011 via email to:
Zena J. Kim, Esq.
Staff Attorney
zena.kim@minkwon.org