Welcome to my blog about my internship with Citizenship Counts (CC). CC is a non-profit based in Scottsdale, AZ dedicated to promoting civic education in America. They have created a curriculum which they provide free of charge that culminates in a student-led naturalization ceremony and celebrates the roles and responsibilities of citizenship. Our founder, author, human rights activist, Holocaust survivor and proud naturalized citizen, Gerda Weissmann Klein, began the program after speaking at a student-led naturalization ceremony herself. Our advisory board includes such prominent people as Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, current Superintendent of Education Tom Horne, and many other leaders in politics, education and public affairs.We recently just launched a brand new interactive website that features activities for students and teachers as well as information about who we are and what we do. Check it out at www.CitizenshipCounts.org.
My responsibilities range from managing social networks, to adiminstrative and clerical duties, to attending meetings between immigration services and school administrators. Because CC works with Immigration Services, public and private schools as well as separate nonprofits, I am getting a good look at how non-profits interact and work with government agencies. I will continue to update about my work with CC and all my other crazy endeavors as well. Talk soon.
Hello Ben,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to know if your organization partners with the foreign Consulates as well or only schools? I used to work for the Consulate of Mexico and people were always inquiring about the citizenship process.
This sounds like a great internship. How long does the citizenship process usually take? Does Gerda Weissman Klein speak about her HOlocaust experiences in forums or as a guest speaker? I am fascinated with the HOlocaust and would love to hear her story.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great internship! Have you met Gerda? I work for a non-profit also, the Girl Scouts, to be more specific and she is one of our alumni! I have found it a bit difficult working with the government as a non-profit. How do you see it working for your organization?
ReplyDeleteSamantha- We don't work with the foreign consulates. Our program is more focused around education. Because the citizenship process is long and quite complicated, we let Immigration Services handle all of these issues.
ReplyDeleteShelly- Gerda does speak, and her story is very powerful. There have been both books and movies made about her story. On average naturalized citizens wait between 5-7 years before attending their naturalization ceremony.
Sam- I recently met Gerda, and she is incredible. The Girl Scouts just put on a day of Civic Action conference last Thursday, that we went to, and apparently had a great time (I was unable to attend myself). I haven't had too much connection with the government yet, but that all starts next week!