Peacebuilding and Community Development

Our options are not limited to the internships listed below. Organizations listed reflect sites where WCSC has recently placed students or those that are currently looking for interns.  Please feel free to do your own research and do not hesitate to contact WCSC for further opportunities.

• For policy and advocacy around peacebuilding see listings under “Policy, Politics, Advocacy & Law”

Community Organizing & Community Development

• YWCA – promotes awareness and action on social justice issues in the community, particularly surrounding racism and violence against women.
• DC Jobs with Justice – community organizing group that supports labor unions and workers' rights.
• MANNA, Inc. – preserves, builds, and advocates for affordable housing and increasing homeownership for low-income families.
  
  • Interns can work in advocacy and outreach. Fantastic opportunity to learn about the affordable housing crisis and the people it most directly affects.
• Washington Interfaith Network – trains and supports DC community leaders to address local community and city issues and political accountability.
• Empower DC – works with low and moderate-income community members to organize, build leadership, and advocate for themselves towards building sustainable futures.
• Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) – provides an array of programing for low-income youth, supporting their transition to adulthood and working to meet their social, academic, and career needs.
  
  • *Spanish Language Opportunity
• Human Rights Campaign – the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization. Advocates for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans.
• Washington Area Bicyclist Association – develops resources, events and advocacy for biking in the city and surrounding areas.
• Washington Parks and People – works to increase community vitality and health through city parks.
• CASA – advocates for and works to support low-income immigrant families including job training, workers' rights, and ESL support.
  
  • *Spanish Language Opportunity

Restorative Justice, Mediation & Peace Education

• Little Friends for Peace – offers peace education, group activities, and a safe environment away from violent surroundings for children in high-risk areas of DC and Maryland.
  
  • Past interns have worked at their summer peace camps helping with peace education as well as programs for children after school and men experiencing homelessness.
• The Next Step Public Charter School – GED preparation classes in English and Spanish, as well as ESL classes. The school provides wrap-around case management services and uses restorative justice practices, including dialogue circles.
• Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County – non-profit organization that specializes in mediation and youth services.
  
  • The organization seeks interns to help with facilitation, community meetings, training youth in mediation skills, and “behind-the-scenes” work.
• National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) – works to promote community-based mediation programs and advocate for development in this field.
• Multi-Cultural Community Service, Inc. – works to facilitate inclusive and diverse civic participation.

Global Peacebuilding & Development

• Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) – works to end torture around the world and empower survivors in the DC metro area.
• Amnesty International – the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, works to protect human rights through research, mobilization, and advocacy.
• Human Rights Watch – global human rights organization leverages reporting and research to advocate for human rights and justice.
• Women for Women International – supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education, and small business assistance so they can rebuild their lives.
• National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund – organization promoting a bill for conscientious objectors and those religiously opposed to war to have taxes destined toward military use to be used towards peaceful ends instead.
• Fair Trade Federation – works to strengthen and promote North American fair trade organizations to build equitable and sustainable trading partnerships.
• Inter-American Foundation – independent agency of the US government that assists development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  
  • *Spanish Language Opportunity