Applications are now being accepted for OFA’s InternAmerica program, a six-week intern program during the summer of 2010 in the nation’s capital. InternAmerica allows OFA students to gain valuable workplace experience, networking opportunities, and allow youth to serve as spokespersons in a variety of environments to promote the promise and potential of older youth.

This past summer, 20 OFA students spent six weeks in Washington, DC, working at congressional offices, non-profits, and corporations. Rounding out their six weeks in Washington, InternAmerica students were treated to a host of workshops for professional development: resume writing, networking, time management skills, etc. Hosted by national corporations, these workshops provided students with tools and skills to launch their careers after graduation.

Think this might be an opportunity for you? Find out more about our InternAmerica program.

Blinded by the bright lights of the big city, a couple of our InternAmerica interns seem to have caught the bug – another case of Potomac River Fever! We have two interns that love Washington, DC so much that they are staying!

Evan Harris (North Carolina) is interning at the Department of Labor, Office of JobCorp. They have been so impressed with his work that they have extended his internship through the summer. Evan graduated this past May from NC State with a degree in Philosophy of Law. Evan has a very strong interest in labor relations so his placement at Department of Labor was perfect. He is also thinking about law school down the road.

Sarah Lucas (New York), a May 2009 graduate of SUNY Geneseo, has been interning in the office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Sarah’s major was International Relations so it only makes sense that she want to stay in the Nation’s Capital. She hopes to utilize the networking she gained through the InternAmerica program and eventually find full-time work after her summer internship is completed.

The InternAmerica program brings students from our programs to Washington, DC for a six week internship. The students are handpicked from a pool of over 4,000 students. The students work in a variety of settings; Capitol Hill, corporate, non-profit and government agencies. In addition to the actual internships the interns also attend numerous training sessions. When asked what she felt was the most beneficial thing about the InternAmerica program, Sarah Lucas responded, “The most beneficial thing is the workshops. They are so useful in everyday life and I love them. I learn and apply the things I learn immediately and it is so great!”

Another benefit to the students that participate in the InternAmerica Program is meeting and becoming friends with other successful foster youth. We asked the interns what they feel has been the most positives things that have happened to them and Evan Harris wrote, “Meeting so many people that share my background has been really unique and very inspiring to me.”

We wish all the interns could stay because it seems like the six weeks has flown by. Everyone that has had the pleasure of meeting any of the interns has really been impressed. They are a great group of young people that prove that “foster care to success” is not a dream but a reality!

OFA is constantly looking for placements each summer for the interns. We work hard to make sure that the placements closely match the intern’s course of study and career goals. If you have the ability to offer an internship to a student in our program, please contact Lynn Davis.