Applications for the Summer 2023 program will open in Feburary 2023.
In the meantime, please explore the below to learn more about Project Affinity:
What is Project Affinity?
Project Affinity is an 8-week living-learning summer internship program facilitated by the BW Brain Center for Community Engagement. Selected participants intern at a Cleveland nonprofit four days a week, gaining great professional experience and exposure to Cleveland leaders, assets and opportunities. This program is rooted in social justice education and students will have many opportunities to learn more about social change through guest speakers and excursions in Cleveland. Students are provided with a $3360 stipend for the 8 week program. Students will live together on campus at 21 Beech, with Room and Board covered, alongside 6 other participants to create a community-centered experience.
FAQs
When/how long is the program?
The program lasts 8 weeks. Students move in on May 31st and move out July 29th – 30th (Summer 2022 dates; stay tuned for Summer 2023 dates to be listed in February). Due to the immersive nature of the program and to build community and foster connections participants are limited to 1 weekend away during the program. Participants are permitted to take up to one online class during the program or have a job or other commitment for up to one shift per weekend (Friday evening-Sunday evening) during the program.
What does a typical week look like?
Students intern at their non-profit four days a week and participate in group community engagement experiences once day per week. These days may include hands-on service experiences, neighborhood tours, meetings with community leaders and more! The average work week is 28 hours. Evening and weekends are designated for guest speakers and fun, educational activities in Cleveland.
Where will I intern?
Example partners have included: Art House, Malachi Center, West Side Catholic Center, Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, and Interreligious Task Force of Central America. Students can tailor their internship experience to accommodate their specific social justice and professional interests, including: environmental justice, gender and sexual identity, homelessness, racial equity, and community health.
How can I apply?
The application is available on Handshake. There is also a link to the application through Givepulse. Log-in to both websites using your BW log-in credentials.
What are the requirements?
Applicants must be undergraduate students registered to return to Baldwin Wallace for classes in Fall 2023, unless they are in a 3+2 program. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and no major student conduct issues.
How can I learn more?
An info session about Project Affinity will be held in Sandstone II on TBD from 7-8 pm. If that time does not work, students can contact Morgan Ashley for a different meeting time.
