Internship Program
No Special Skills Required
We ask only that applicants be 19 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and at least one year's work or college experience.
A Sense of Community
Living and working with full-time Volunteer Corps members at Fourth World Movement centers means that the responsibilities inherent in group living are a component of the internship experience and training.
An Approach to Combating Poverty
Introduction and training occur through a program of reading, research, videos, and discussions, as well as manual work (minor construction and renovation), special project work, regular administrative tasks, daily journal writing, and on-going evaluations.
Exposure to Impoverished Communities
Interns take part in Fourth World Movement activities with children and families living in poverty or volunteer part-time with partner organizations working with people in poverty.
Discovering a Commitment
Understanding who comprises the Fourth World Movement is as important as learning what the Fourth World Movement does. Through encounters with Fourth World Movement Volunteer Corps members and supporters from diverse backgrounds, interns will discover the common commitment which fuels this people-centered movement.
Trainee Volunteer Corps Members
After the 3-month internship, an individual's joining the Fourth World Movement Volunteer Corps for a minimum commitment of two years is a mutual decision between full-time team members and the individual. Of some 450 Volunteer Corps members, two-thirds have been involved for more than 5 years. About 10 percent have continued their commitment for twenty years or more.
Becoming a Fourth World Movement Volunteer Corps member is an agreement to be flexible and available to be of service where Fourth World Movement teams have the most need. An individual's skills and interests, team dynamics, as well as what might best allow him/her to nurture a greater understanding of and commitment to very poor families are considerations for assignments. First assignments are usually within North America (Montreal, Appalachia, New York, Washington, DC, or New Orleans) and are relatively short, to provide a wide range of training experiences. Further training with a wider, diverse group of new volunteers from all over the world, generally occurs at the Fourth World Movement International Center in France sometime within the first year of service.
Practical Details
The application process: Application form and fee, 3 references, interview, and/or visit to national center.
The internship: 3 months, full-time, un-paid. Housing provided. Interns pay food and personal expenses: about $700 (However, we will work with any motivated applicant for whom this is too heavy a financial burden).
Volunteer Corps members: First year stipend: $335/month; $600/month thereafter. Housing and health insurance provided. New volunteers pay first flight and visa abroad.
Important: The history and spirit of the Fourth World Movement Volunteer Corps are such that members feel responsible for keeping expenses to a minimum and for helping find and contribute the necessary funds for programs and living costs. Monthly stipends reflect our solidarity with the poor and desire to live a simple lifestyle.
