KINETIC Summer Program 2021

Are you an immigrant or refugee CPS high school student? Do you want to develop yourself as a community leader this summer? Join Advancing Justice | Chicago’s KINETIC summer program from July 6th to August 12th! We’re looking for 15 dynamic young people to learn and grow with us this year.

Through our KINETIC summer program, you will have the chance to build community with your fellow leaders from high schools all over the city while expanding your knowledge and analysis of political issues, developing organizing skills, and getting involved in our ongoing city and state-level campaign work.

As a KINETIC leader you’ll become familiar with immigrant and refugee advocacy and organizing in the context of Chicago public schools, and gain organizing skills/knowledge. You’ll build your own analysis of racial equity, education equity, and local school politics. You’ll also understand the importance of culturally relevant education and language access in our schools, and have the opportunity to take on roles in our organization’s campaign work, like our work to implement the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) in our schools. The program will be a mix of interactive workshops, skill/knowledge building sessions, facilitated discussions, and creative projects. There will also be small-group and 1-1 sessions.

WHO CAN APPLY:
The Summer Leadership Program is open to rising 9th-12th grade immigrant and refugee students who are currently enrolled in Chicago Public Schools. We define immigrant and refugee students to include:
– Students who are immigrants/refugees themselves
– Students whose parent(s) are first generation immigrants/refugees
– Students living in mixed immigration/citizenship status households.

We welcome immigrant and refugee students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or immigration status.

LOCATION/TIME COMMITMENT:

Sessions will begin on July 6th, and will run for 6 weeks, ending on August 12th.

Sessions will be held 3 days/week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from approximately 10am to 3pm.

We are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Chicago, and currently exploring the possibility of meeting in person or having a hybrid program.

In person sessions would be held at our office, located in Uptown at 4716 N. Broadway St.

STIPEND: Participants can earn up to $500 for attending all sessions of the program.

PROCESS/DEADLINES: The application deadline is Saturday, June 19th at 11:59PM. We will notify successful applicants by Saturday, June 26th.

Click here to apply now

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The KINETIC Summer Leadership Program is a 6-week stipended program for immigrant and refugee CPS students from 9th-12th grade.

KINETIC is Advancing Justice | Chicago’s civic leadership program for high school English language learner, immigrant, and refugee youth in Chicago. Through KINETIC we build a community for, and increase the visibility of, Asian American and immigrant students in Chicago.

For over 25 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago has worked to bring together the Asian American community, and empower them to create change in their communities. In 2017 we adopted a racial equity-focused mission that allows us to extend beyond our community, forge new relationships, and win on issues that affect all marginalized communities.

Advancing Justice | Chicago is part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation. Our national affiliation allows us to raise a more powerful voice to better serve our communities and become more effective in addressing the civil rights issues faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other vulnerable and underserved communities. Other Advancing Justice affiliates are located in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.


If you have any questions, or are having difficulty filling out the application, please email Christian (she/they) at caldana@advancingjustice-chicago.org.