North America

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League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissioners

Minneapolis, MN

The league shall assist county and municipal human rights/relations commissions inMinnesota to carry out the purposes of the ordinances or resolution pursuant to which they were established, and interact with all divisions of the state and other agencies involved in the area of human rights and relations.

 

Legal Aid Society

New York, NY

Tel: (212) 577-3346.

The Legal Aid Society is the nation's oldest and largest provider of legal services to the indigent. Founded in 1876, the Society provides a full range of civil legal services as well as criminal defense work, and juvenile rights representation in Family Court. Our core service is to provide free legal assistance to New Yorkers who live at or below the poverty level and cannot afford to hire a lawyer when confronted with a legal problem.

 

Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3)

Manitoba, Canada

408 St. Peter St. Ste 220
St. Paul, MN 55102

Tel: 651-225-0878
Fax: 651-225-0870

Fresh Energy works to enhance our economy, protect human health and communities, restore our environment and establish energy independence. In our sustained and coordinated effort to promote a modern, innovative energy system for the 21st century, we provide research, advocacy and innovative policy models while engaging citizens to take action on the energy issues that affect us all.  Fresh Energy’s efforts focus on clean electricity, energy efficiency, transportation policy, global warming solutions and energy justice. With expertise, strong alliances and an impressive track record in each of these important areas, we’re able to maintain a long-range view while also nimbly responding to sudden threats and unexpected opportunities.

 

Center for Justice and International Law

San Jose, Costa Rica

Soraya Long, Director
225 metros Sur y 75 metros Este del Centro Cultural Mexicano
Los Yoses, San José, Costa Rica

Tel. (506) 280-7473/7608
Fax (506) 280-5280
Email: [email protected]

The Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) is a non-governmental organization (NGO), founded in 1991 by a group of prominent human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. CEJIL's principle objective is to achieve the full implementation of international human rights norms in the member States of the Organization of American States (OAS) through the use of the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights and other international protection mechanisms. CEJIL’s mandate is fulfilled through work in three program areas: the Legal Defense Program, the Training and Dissemination Program, and the Campaign to Strengthen the Inter-American System.

El Colegio Charter School

Minneapolis, MN USA

El Colegio Charter School
4137 Bloomington Ave
South Minneapolis, MN 55407

Tel: 612.728.5728
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.el-colegio.org/index.html

Vision
To be recognized as a rigorous, state of the art Latino-focused high school. We will be the school of choice for students and parents seeking to build literacy and prepare for college in a bilingual, bicultural, individualized and artistic setting. We will also be the partner of choice for institutions seeking to build a body of knowledge and talent in bilingual and bicultural literacy.

 

Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP)

Crescent Valley, Nevada USA

Western Shoshone Defense Project
P.O. Box 211308
Crescent Valley, NV 89821

Tel: 775-468-0230
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.wsdp.org/

To affirm Newe (Western Shoshone) jurisdiction within Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone homelands) by protecting, preserving, and restoring Newe rights and lands for present and future generations based on Newe cultural and spiritual traditions. The WSDP is an affiliate of the Seventh Generation Fund, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization The WSDP is an affiliate of the Seventh Generation Fund, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the uniqueness of Native Peoples and Nations.

 

Cultural Diversity Resources

Fargo-Moorhead, MN USA

810 S. Fourth Ave. Suite 147
Moorhead, MN 56560

Tel: (218) 236-7277
Fax: (218) 236-7475

Vision Statement
To build a community that values diversity.

Mission Statement
To acknowledge, understand, appreciate and celebrate the diverse heritageand cultures of people in the Cass-Clay counties.

Goals
To increase the understanding of community leaders, adults and children of the value of diversity in the community. To create an appreciation and awareness of cultural differences as reflected in the behaviors of employers, educational insitutions and the general public. To assist diverse population in overcoming barriers to community participation. To support current and new community efforts that encourage diversity by developing and enhancing a "framework" of materials, events and structures that celebrate our community's growing diversity.

 

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights

Minneapolis, MN USA

650 Third Avenue South, Suite 550
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Tel: (612) 341-3302
Fax: (612) 341-2971

The Advocates has received international recognition for a broad range of innovative programs to promote human rights and prevent the violation of those rights. The Advocates provides investigative fact finding, direct legal representation, collaboration for education and training, and a broad distribution of publications. The Advocates has produced more than 81 reports documenting human rights practices in more than 22 countries. Every year, The Advocates educates over 8,000 students and community members on human rights issues, and provides legal representation and assistance to over 1,000 disadvantaged individuals and families. The Advocates is governed by a 27-member Board of Directors, consisting of community leaders in academia, the arts, business, law, and policy, and providing strategic oversight of financial and programmatic decisions.

 

Urban Coalition

St. Paul, Minnesota

Yusef Mgeni- President
Susan Zoff- Communications Officer
Tel: (612) 348-8550

In 1992, the Community Information Clearinghouse was started by the Urban Coalition to provide community groups with access to data and information. (The Urban Coalition is a non-profit research and advocacy organization that works with the low-income communities of color to address political, economic and social issues that are identified in the areas of education, employment, health, and poverty.) Initially, the data focused on 1990 Census, but in time the program became inclusive of local and state government data. Now in its sixth year of operation, the program works in conjunction with many organizations throughout Minnesota.

Partners in Health- Socios en Salud, Peru

Zanmi Lasante, Haiti

Partners In Health
800 Boylston Street, 47th Floor
Boston, MA 02199

Tel: +1 617-432-5256
Fax: +1 617-432-5300
Email: [email protected]

The PIH Vision: Whatever it takes

At its root, our mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When a person in Peru, or Siberia, or rural Haiti falls ill, PIH uses all of the means at our disposal to make them well—from pressuring drug manufacturers, to lobbying policy makers, to providing medical care and social services. Whatever it takes. Just as we would do if a member of our own family—or we ourselves—were ill.

 

Mobility International USA, The Hesperian Foundation and Whirlwind Women

Mexico

Street and Mailing Address:
132 E. Broadway, Suite 343
Eugene, Oregon USA 97401

Tel: (541) 343-1284 (Tel/TTY)
Fax: (541) 343-6812
Website: http://www.miusa.org/

Empowering people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development.

 

United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide

New York, NY USA

Children’s Defense Fund

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

The Children's Defense Fund’s Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF encourages preventive investment before children get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004

The American system of government is founded on two counterbalancing principles: that the majority of the people governs, through democratically elected representatives; and that the power even of a democratic majority must be limited, to ensure individual rights.

Majority power is limited by the Constitution's Bill of Rights, which consists of the original ten amendments ratified in 1791, plus the three post-Civil War amendments (the 13th, 14th and 15th) and the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage), adopted in 1920.

The mission of the ACLU is to preserve all of these protections and guarantees:

• Your First Amendment rights - freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
• Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
• Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
• Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

 

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM)
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
450 North Syndicate St., Suite 175
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Toll Free: 1-800-223-1368 (client line)
Tel: 651-641-1011 (office line)
Fax: 651-641-1131 (fax)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.immigrantlawcentermn.org/

We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide quality immigration legal services and law-related education to meet the steadily increasing needs of Minnesota's growing immigrant and refugee communities. We work to support a fair and just immigration process that keeps the American dream alive, embodies the rule of law, and strengthens families and communities across Minnesota.

Our goals include:

1. Remedying legal problems with immigration legal services
2. Preventing legal problems with law-related education to immigrants and refugees
3. Encouraging immigration policies that are practical and compassionate.

ILCM is currently the only legal program in Minnesota to provide free comprehensive immigration services to low-income persons of all nationalities who are ineligible for federally funded legal services programs. ILCM is also one of the few agencies available to provide education, training and outreach to other professionals and the community at large in immigration affairs. Our clients all earn equal to or less than 187.5% of the federal poverty guidelines, and 70% of our clients earn less than 100% of the poverty limit. The largest part of ILCM’s work is done in our own Saint Paul neighborhood and the surrounding Ramsey County communities.

The St. Cloud Human Rights Office

St. Cloud, Minnesota

St. Cloud City Hall
400 2 St. S.
St. Cloud, MN  56301

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ci.stcloud.mn.us/index.htm

ANF, in collaboration with hundreds of individuals and corporations, wishes to transcend the purpose of helping, creating conditions so that every beneficiary can rely on a network leading them towards self-sustainability.  With this goal in mind, ANF created programs fostering increased opportunity, self sufficiency and dignity for the poor in Nicaragua.

 

Centro de Derechos Human Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas

San Cristóbal de Las Casas, México

Frayba has as its mission to walk alongside and in service of the poor, excluded, and organized villages that seek to overcome the socioeconomic and political conditions under which they live, taking from them direction and strength to contribute to their project of constructing a society where people and communities exercise and enjoy all of their rights to their fullness.

-The Integrity and Indivisibility of human rights.
-Respect for cultural diversity and the right to self-determination.
-Global justice as a requirement for peace.
-The development of a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and reconciliation, with respect to cultural and religious pluralism. Our commitment is to peace with dignity and human rights.

Stand Against Global Exploitation

The Sage Project, Inc.
1271 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 49103

Phone: (415) 905-5050
Website:
Email: [email protected]
Salary: Unpaid

SAGE was founded in 1995 by Norma Hotaling, a former prostitute and recovering addict who recognized the absence of services available for women escaping prostitution. SAGE is a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization founded in 1993 that offers caring, non-judgmental peer education, job training, support services and a mentorship program for prostitutes, drug addicts and survivors. SAGE represents a commitment to improving the lives of women and girls who have been victimized by sexual exploitation, violence and those involved in prostitution.

A previous intern with SAGE provided legal services to indigent clients who have issues—related to family law, court accompaniment, tenant rights, human service advocacy, etc—with the criminal justice system. Those interested in internships dealing with legal services and women in prostitution should contact the organization directly. As of December, 2002 SAGE’s website is inoperative so please contact the organization by email or phone.

 

Rethinking Tourism Project

366 North Prior Avenue, Suite 203
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone: 651-644-9984
Website: www.rethinkingtourism.org/index.html
Email: [email protected]
Language: Spanish helpful but not necessary
Salary: unpaid

Because tourism is considered the largest industry in the world, the mission of the Rethinking Tourism Project is to develop community education about tourism and to construct a global network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous support groups to share information and resources about tourism. The environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts of tourism development reverberate in communities around the world, but increasingly target Indigenous peoples often without their full participation, management or ownership. Internships can be arranged through an accredited institution. Interns are required to commit a minimum of 8-15 hours per week for three months. RTP is an informal, flexible office atmosphere. Students and volunteers must be independent and self-motivated. Computer skills (MS WORD, PUBLISHER, ACCESS, & EXCEL), PR/Communications experience, Spanish language interpretation/translation skills, environmental and/or international issues experience helpful. Some administrative work is required (filing, faxing, organizing a resource library, computer work, etc.). To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to the above address or email. Women, Native Americans, Indigenous Peoples and other people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

American Kurdish Information Network (AKIN)

2600 Connecticut Avenue NW #1
Washington, DC 20008-1558

Phone: (202) 483-6444
Website: www.kurdistan.org
Email: [email protected]
Salary: unpaid but small stipend given for lunch and transportation

AKIN is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to informing the public and policy makers of the plight of the Kurds, the world's largest stateless people. AKIN works with the members of the U.S. government and the NGO community in an effort to promote self-determination, peace and justice in Kurdistan. AKIN wants the war in the Kurdish lands to stop, peace to prevail and the will of the Kurds to be accepted and respected.

Interns play a large role in the overall activity of AKIN and are relied upon heavily. Interns are responsible for: assisting in outreach to Congress, to the human rights community, and to other non-profit organizations; assisting in writing grant proposals and organizing fund-raisers; the daily update and management of our web site. AKIN seeks interns with the following qualifications: basic computer skills, preferably familiar with web site management, desktop publishing, computer networking, etc.; strong writing and communications skills; willingness to learn, and a desire to make a difference. In short, AKIN seeks friendly, assertive, team player and independent-thinking activist types to help fix a corner of the world the Kurds call home. A small stipend to cover lunch and transportation costs is provided. If need be, AKIN can also provide interns with academic credit. The office is very accessible to the Washington, DC Metro system. Those interested need to submit a resume with a cover letter. Upon review of these materials, they may request a letter of recommendation and an interview.

 

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center

3000 Biscayne Blvd.,
Suite 400
Miami, Florida 33137

Phone: (305) 573-1106
Website: www.fiacfla.org/index.htm
Language: Spanish or Haitian Creole is useful but not required
Salary: Unpaid

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) is a not-for-profit legal services organization whose mission is to protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants of all nationalities. It serves the ever-growing and ever-changing needs of Florida's large immigrant population by providing both free direct legal services to individuals and impact advocacy work to address broader issues that will result in improved treatment for immigrants. This holistic approach is unique in the immigration field in Florida and in much of the nation.

Law, graduate, and undergraduate students can benefit from an internship at FIAC. Internships are available in impact advocacy, general civil and direct services in the areas of immigration, domestic violence, and public benefits. Interns may also participate in FIAC's community education work. Law school interns generally participate in the representation of clients.

 

Centro de Derechos Laborales at the Resource Center of Americas

Resource Center of the Americas
3019 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(off E. Lake St. and Minnehaha Avenue)

Phone: 612-276-0788
Fax: 612-276-0898
Website: http://www.americas.org/Centro-de-Derechos-Laborales.htm
Email: [email protected]

The nonprofit Resource Center of the Americas (of which AMERICAS.ORG is a program) is devoted to the notion that everyone, everywhere is entitled to the same fundamental human rights. Our starting point for promoting these rights is learning and teaching about the peoples and countries of the Americas -- their history, culture, and politics. We focus especially on the global economy, a system in which a minority flourishes while millions of people lack adequate food, shelter and employment. Every Resource Center Program embodies the principle that education and action go hand in hand. Our educational activities and classes combine with our news coverage to provide the public with an alternative source of information. Armed with that as a tool, our organizing programs work to educate and activate the community around key issues. In this way we empower others to work collectively to create social change both in the United States and Latin America.

 

Maryknoll Missions

Maryknoll Sisters
PO Box 311
Maryknoll, NY 10545-03161

Phone: 914-941-7575
Fax: 914-923-0733
Website: http://home.maryknoll.org/
Email: [email protected]

Since 1911, Catholics in the United States have responded to the worldwide cry of the poor by becoming Maryknoll Missioners. Today, Maryknollers help people overseas build communities of faith. Some work in war zones with refugees, others minister to the sick, the elderly, orphans, or people with AIDS. Through lives of service, Maryknollers translate the gospel of love into different languages and in different cultures.

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights

650 3rd Ave. S. #550
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1940

Phone: (612)341-3302
Website: http://www.mnadvocates.org/
Email: [email protected]

Minnesota Advocates has received international recognition for a broad range of innovative programs to promote human rights and prevent the violation of those rights. Minnesota Advocates provides investigative fact finding, direct legal representation, collaboration for education and training, and a broad distribution of publications. Minnesota Advocates has produced more than 50 reports documenting human rights practices in more than 20 countries; educated over 10,000 students and community members on human rights issues; and provided legal representation and assistance to over 3,000 disadvantaged individuals and families.

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless

122 West Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Phone: (612) 870-7073
Fax: (612) 870-9085
Website: http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/
Email: [email protected]

The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless has been fighting since 1984 to end homelessness in Minnesota. Through this community education, legislative advocacy, and organizing activities the Coalition works to prevent homelessness by helping communities design homeless response systems that meet their needs.

 

International Campaign for Tibet

1825 K Street NW, Suite 520
Washington, D.C. 20006

Phone: (202)785-1515
Fax: (202)785-4343
Website: http://www.savetibet.org/
Email: [email protected]

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is based in Washington, DC and is a tax-exempt, non-profit membership organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code. ICT works to promote human rights and self-determination for Tibetans and to protect their culture and environment. Among other work, we:

• Conduct fact-finding missions to Tibet, India and Nepal
• Testify before the U.S. Congress, the United Nations and other international bodies
• Network with exiled Chinese democracy and overseas Chinese organizations; work with Chinese language media and conduct research on Chinese rule of Tibet
• Promote news coverage of issues in Tibet
• Send out Action Alerts!
• Publish two newsletters, the Tibet Press Watch and Tibetan Environment & Development News
• Speak to academic, civic and community groups.

 

Culture Diversity Resources

810 S. Fourth Ave. Suite 147
Moorhead, Mn 56560

Phone: (218)236-7277
Fax: (218)236-7475
Website: http://www.mnstate.edu/gunarat/cdp.html

The Cultural Diversity Project is a communitywide collaboration among four cities in two states -- Fargo and West Fargo in North Dakota; and Moorhead and Dilworth in Minnesota -- to address immediate community diversity issues while working toward systemic community changes.

The Pew Partnership for Civic Change, which is funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, awarded a $400,000 grant to the four cities for a three-year cultural diversity project. One-quarter of local matching funds came from the four cities, the Cass and Clay counties, the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, the United Way and the American Crystal Sugar Co. The project addresses the challenges and opportunities of diversity brought about by the increase in local population from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

 

Center for Victims of Torture

717 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: (612)436-4800
Fax: (612)436-2600
Website: http://www.cvt.org/main.php
Email: [email protected]

We believe that survivors of torture can recover from the traumas that they have suffered, that they are capable of rebuilding their lives and that they may even go on to thrive. When torture survivors come to CVT they may be suffering physically, mentally and spiritually. They may have nightmares, depression or a complex set of symptoms known as post-traumatic stress disorder. They may have trouble making meaningful connections with other people. They have fled their home countries and are building new lives for themselves in the United States. This in itself can be traumatic. The healing services staff at CVT are here to help torture survivors regain control and to help them heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Each survivor works with a team of care providers, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, massage therapists and physical therapists. Clients and caregivers must work together to achieve healing, but it is the client who is ultimately in control. Trust and confidentiality are essential to the healing process.

Somali Family Care Network

2724 Dorr Ave., Suite 102
Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: (703)560-0005
Fax: (703)560-9523
Website: http://www.somalifamily.org/
Email: [email protected]

The Somali Family Care Network is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping all Somali groups in the United States work together to improve the social and economic opportunities for the Somali community.