NCI Program Description

The Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) is an eight-week summer program. Interns are placed at a Japanese American community-based organization in the Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Areas for four days of the week. One day of each week is reserved for a training meeting and debriefing, including field trips and speakers for cultural and community exposure. Each intern will receive a $2,000 educational scholarship in addition to training and experience in community work. Availability of funds and the willingness of mentors determines how many interns can participate.

The Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) and the Little Tokyo Service Center are the lead agencies for the program, with support from the Japanese American Citizens League Pacific Southwest District. Since the number of internships is limited, the key to having broader impact and outreach through this program is to select a team of young people who can effectively organize and inspire their peers.

Requirements

• A strong interest in the Japanese American community or non-profit community work.
• Age 18 by the start of the program.

General Information

• The full-time, eight-week internship program runs from June 22, 2007 through August 15, 2008.
• The Little Tokyo Service Center coordinates the program in Los Angeles and the Japanese Community Youth Council coordinates the program in the Bay Area.
• The internship has a "four plus one" format. Interns will spend four days a week at a community organization, and one day in an NCI group meeting, cultural/community training and leadership development activities.
• Includes two or three weekend commitments.
• Interns will receive a $2,000 educational scholarship for participating in the full program. Scholarships will be adjusted for days missed.
• Teams of interns will be selected through an application process to work together in the two locations.