Robin Hood Summer Internship

Organization Description: Robin Hood holds steadfast to a single mission: fight poverty in New York City. We believe in reducing poverty for today’s generation and preventing poverty for generations to come. Robin Hood finds, funds and partners with over 200 of the most effective schools and programs in the city’s poorest neighborhoods to save the lives and change the fates of those who battle educational failure, joblessness, teen pregnancy, abuse, AIDS, hunger and homelessness. We then provide management assistance and support services to make them even stronger. When we see unmet needs, we launch initiatives to address them. Robin Hood’s board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs. That means 100 percent of donations goes directly to organizations serving families who struggle against poverty.

Internship - Veterans Initiative

There has been an increase in military returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan war with an acute need for social services and workforce preparation. Robin Hood is working with a coalition of federal, state and local government agencies as well as a cohort of non-profit organizations on an initiative which will connect low income veterans with such assistance as supportive housing, job-training, healthcare and counseling to ease their transition to civilian life; we expect that existing grantees and new groups will deliver services.

Our program aim is twofold. First, we hope to work with the V.A. local community based organizations and city government to connect eligible veterans to the powerful existing resources made available through the V.A. and other local providers. Through our network of over 200 grantees, we are confident that our existing infrastructure can be of value. 

Secondly, we plan to invest new grant dollars into veteran specific programs, new and or expanded, around five core areas of investment: employment, housing, health care, education, and microfinance.  

Over the past few months, Robin Hood staff has compiled a list of national best practice models, as well as groups already delivering first-rate programs to veterans or constituents with special needs that include veterans. We are also assessing local CBOs that may be able to take on an expanded role to serve veterans.

Issues to address and question to answer:

1. Select 3 to 4 grantees with high proportion of veterans and conduct interviews/focus groups that identify the greatest needs for the veteran and his/her family members. At the same time, survey a sample of veterans getting services through the V.A. hospital system or other V.A. centers to learn whether their responses are parallel or surface a different set of needs and priorities.  
2. Based on an analysis of data, structure the list of veterans groups in Robin Hood’s pipeline into distinct categories (i.e. high/low priority).
3. Analysis and presentation of rank-ordered list of interventions where there are the least options available or the highest demand or both.

Outcome:

This project aims at two outcomes. First, program staff will have clearer insights based on actual feedback from those returning from military service on how to most effectively invest new grant dollars into veteran specific programs, new and or expanded. Second, with an enormous number of inquiries and proposals sent our way already, we can prepare rationales for groups and concepts that we may be compelled to decline.

Skills required:

Critical thinking and research skills

Analytical skills

Strong Interpersonal skills 

This internship is offered for a 6-8 week duration and is offered on a paid basis.

Start Date: Immediate
Deadline: 7/9/11
Apply Here