COMMUNITY ORGANIZING INTERNSHIP

ILCPF values not only providing funding to organizations, but also building a sustainable movement with a strong pipeline of leaders.

Background

Inherited from the Wieboldt Foundation, ILCPF hosts a paid internship program for public and non-traditional institutions to provide access to the field of Community Organizing.

The intention of the program is to create a pipeline for more young people in the state to understand what it means to organize their local community, win campaigns, and deepen their analysis around social issues. While many interns may continue in organizing, we do not expect everyone to do so. The program is designed to ensure interns can apply foundational skills, frameworks, and analytical tools rooted in organizing to a range of sectors.

Schools We Currently Partner With:

If you are a public or non-traditional university or college interested in partnering with our program, please email Vivien Tsou at vivien@ilcpf.org.

CHECK OUT OUR 2025-2026 COHORT

Angela Carmona

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

A fourth-year Political Science and Criminology, Law, and Justice double-major at the University of Illinois at Chicago. While being a full-time student, she is also a research assistant who codes policy under a professor at UIC. Angela continues her role in the community through her internship at Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, where she works with youth in education to advocate for their needs, plus volunteers for events that serve the immigrant community. As she has worked with policy data research, she is excited to see state policy outcomes through her community organizing work. She hopes to better understand how to advocate for the immigrant and undocumented community and gain the appropriate skills. Angela aspires to attend law school to become an attorney serving vulnerable communities.

Petra Hoffman

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Lenail Ridgell

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Lenail is a 27-year-old business student currently completing an internship with an organization focused on housing and environmental issues. He earned his Associate Degree in Business from Olive-Harvey College. Through this internship, Lenail is gaining hands-on experience in organizational work, community engagement, and project coordination. Lenail is practical and goal-oriented, with a strong focus on saving money and managing finances responsibly. He believes that developing financial discipline and work experience early will create a solid foundation for long-term stability and growth. Outside of work, Lenail has a strong interest in technology and has personally built three computers from scratch. He enjoys learning how things work, troubleshooting problems, and finding efficient ways to improve performance skills that also translate well into his professional approach. In his free time, Lenail enjoys playing basketball, staying active, and listening to music as a way to relax and stay motivated.

Yareji Jaimes

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Yareli is a passionate social work professional currently serving as the Program Coordinator of Workforce Development at Corazón Community Services. In this role, she supports individuals in overcoming barriers to employment by providing access to career resources, education, and supportive services. She previously served as a Social Work Intern at Corazón, and now brings her experience and leadership to advancing community empowerment. Yareli is also an intern at BPNC, where she helps support the immigrant population.

She has volunteered at Pacific Garden Mission and New Life Community, assisting vulnerable populations through hands-on service and outreach. Yareli holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work to further expand her impact.

Coming from an immigrant and low-income background, Yareli understands firsthand the systemic challenges faced by underserved communities. Her personal journey has fueled a lifelong dedication to advocacy, community engagement, and creating equitable opportunities for all.

Diane Ingabire

Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Diane is a Senior at Northeastern Illinois University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Community Health and a graduate degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion. Originally from Rwanda, she has lived in Chicago since 2017, where she discovered her passion for advancing community well-being through public health. Diane believes that community organizing is a powerful and essential tool for building an equitable and effective public health system. She aspires to use her education and experience to empower underserved communities and promote lasting health equity.

Monserrat Arreola

Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD)

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Monse is a community leader, Development Coordinator, advocate, and survivor who has transformed lived experience into purpose-driven action. Born in Mexico and brought to the United States as a toddler, her early life was shaped by systemic harm, criminalization, and profound adversity, including surviving human trafficking and domestic violence. Despite being told—both explicitly and implicitly—that her future would be limited, she chose to believe otherwise and to build a life rooted in dignity, impact, and self-determination.

Through resilience, determination, and courage, she paid her way through college and attained higher education, breaking cycles that were never meant to be broken. Today, she serves as a Development Coordinator and is deeply engaged in community organizing, advocacy, and investment, leading as a directly impacted person committed to collective healing and empowerment. She continues to strengthen her leadership through this program and expand her capacity to create sustainable, community-centered change.

Oliver Brown

Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside

Photo: Olivia Obineme/Third Nook

Oliver is an undergraduate student with an Associate’s in Natural Science and is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry. With his background in Wet Chemistry and Biotech research, Oliver intends to empower his community with cooperative science to achieve environmental and health justice. Oliver firmly believes in environmental justice and volunteers with organizations throughout Chicago’s Southside to advance environmental equity. As an intern at Southside Together, he is learning how organizing can transform the conditions of Chicago’s Southeast side where he’s native to. Oliver currently tutors Chemistry at Olive-Harvey College, where he earned his Associate’s, and is excited to explore new scientific and organizing opportunities as he pursues his Bachelor’s.

CHECK OUT OUR 2024-2025 COHORT

Karen Florez Canizales

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Karen Florez is currently studied public policy with a minor in nonprofit management. She is passionate about social justice, particularly issues surrounding migration and gender based violence.

She believes that public policy allows us to explore and learn about many of the root causes problems and how to find effective solutions. She was born in Colombia and Chicago has been her home for more than 9 years now. She has been able to grow and be involved with different refugee organizations that contribute to meaningful social change. She wants to be a part of communities and organizations that are working towards more just and inclusive spaces for all. She is excited to be currently making an impact with BPNC. In her free time, she likes to be outside if there’s good weather. She is also currently obsessed with making clay figures.

Karen Muhammad

Kenwood Oakland Community Center

Meet Karen Muhammad, a passionate student at Governors State University majoring in Social Work. Alongside her studies, Karen holds the esteemed position of executive director at Ethel Mae’s and Daniel’s Homecare, where she spearheads a program catering to individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization is committed to providing top-tier healthcare services to underserved communities. Karen envisions a world where people with developmental disabilities are empowered to realize their full potential and lead enriching lives. On a personal front, Karen celebrates twenty-nine years of marital bliss and takes pride in her role as a parent to four children and a grandparent to eleven grandkids.

Marcos Ramirez

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Marcos Ramirez earned a BS degree in Criminology, Law, and Justice and Psychology with a minor in Public Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. While being a full time student he also served at nonprofits helping his local community with quality of life matters such as food distribution. His goal is to one day go to law school and become a lawyer, with an emphasis on serving communities of color and immigrants. He aims to deepen his understanding of how he can better serve the needs and struggles of immigrant and minority communities, through service and engagement.

Maria Picazo

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Maria Picazo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Political Science. Her undergraduate experience was filled with extracurricular involvement in a service-based organization as well as staff led research projects. Passionate about racial justice and immigrant rights, Maria strives to make an impact on historically marginalized communities. As she begins her Master’s in Public Policy, Maria is eager to both further her education and become involved in community organizing with Brighton Park Neighborhood Council.

Mina Nelson

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Mina Nelson is a senior enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University, where she is majoring in Social Work. Mina has lived in Chicago all her life and is very passionate about battling the social issues that many in the city still struggle with. She aspires to eventually enter policy to help change things for the better at the top level. Mina has experience volunteering with multiple underprivileged groups, and most recently helped manage the Cyber Center at Center on Halsted, a community resource center for the LGBTQ+ community. In her free time, Mina loves to read and write, as well as ride her bike along one of Chicago’s many beautiful parks and trails.

Laniece Bradford

Not Me We / Southside Together

Laniece Bradford is a Master’s in Social Work student at Chicago State University and holds a Bachelor’s in Counseling Psychology. She has a commitment to fostering empathy and understanding across diverse populations as the cornerstone of her professional approach. As a culturally adept and socially perceptive professional, she brings a broad background in youth services, personal development, and academic support. Her education and hands-on experience reflect this commitment. She has experience working in child development, case management, and administration. Outside of work, she is actively involved in community and religious activities. Her experiences have fueled her passion for continuous learning and making a meaningful impact in the field of social work and beyond.

Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project

Silia Martinez

Silia Martinez is currently a senior at Governors State University majoring in Social Work. She is a first-generation college student, and her goal is to pursue a career in social work once she graduates. She was born and raised in Mexico and just like many other families, immigrated to the United States at a young age. Her mission is to advocate for those most marginalized, and to fight for the dignity, safety, and inclusion of immigrants.

Sofia Sanchez

Healing to Action / ONE Northside

Sofia Sanchez is a senior at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Gendered Women’s Studies. Having previously worked as a medical assistant at an abortion clinic, she has become deeply passionate about women’s reproductive rights and related issues. In the future, she aspires to advocate for these rights and recognize their critical importance in the current climate, where they face constant jeopardy. This experience has solidified her desire to pursue a future career in non-profit/community organizing.

Check Out our 2023-2024 Cohort

Alicia Bradford

Southwest Organizing Project

I’m Alicia M. Bradford, a dedicated student pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Chicago State University. In addition to my academic pursuits, I’m actively engaged in the field as a passionate Case Manager for the University of Chicago, specializing in Enhanced Perinatal Care. With a heart dedicated to making a difference, I work tirelessly to support individuals and families facing the challenges of perinatal HIV, ensuring they receive the care and resources they need to thrive. As a mother myself, with an incredible 8-year-old by my side, I understand the importance of accessible healthcare and support for mothers and their children. My life’s mission is deeply rooted in promoting health equity, particularly for marginalized communities, and I’m resolute in my commitment to reducing maternal mortality rates, especially within communities of color. Through my education, work, and personal experiences, I aim to create a brighter and healthier future for all.

Abigail Davis

Abby is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago earning a degree in Urban Studies and a minor in Sustainable Cities. With primary talents in organizing, research, and writing – she strives to become an Urban Planner. Her goal is to advocate for quality, affordable housing and green spaces within disinvested communities. Passionate about change at the local level, she has experience in organizing community events- such as beach clean-ups and food rescues.

Wiedboldt Foundation

Salvador Delgado

Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside

Salvador Delgado is a rising senior pursuing a degree in Public Policy at UIC and is interning with ONE Northside. He is an intersectional feminist passionate about addressing racial and social inequity through legislative and legal action. Salvador volunteers with many local nonprofits that address issues related to undocumented citizens, the LGBTQIA+ community, and affordable housing. He has extensive experience organizing events and programs on college campuses, professional environments, and the communities he is a part of. Salvador aspires to work in the public sector to advocate for better laws and policies to improve access and quality of life for all marginalized people.

Miguel Garcia

Palenque Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Miguel Garcia is a senior enrolled in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois of Chicago, majoring in Public Policy and double minoring in Criminology, Justice and law, and Civic Analytics. Miguel is a community organizer with Palenque LSNA, as the new Housing Intern. He is from the Eastside neighborhood on the Far Southeast side of Chicago and was raised in a single-parent household. Miguel aspires to research, draft, and evaluate progressive policies in the public sector to advance racial justice, reduce income inequality, increase accessibility to affordable housing, enforce police accountability, and streamline immigration services. He is committed to alleviating the pressures of daily obstacles endured by working-class families and is deeply dedicated to protecting the livelihoods of those impacted by socio-economic disparities.

Sean Haran

Kenwood Oakland Community Organization

I’m currently a Junior in the UIC Urban Studies program. Being a die-hard Southsider, my goal in life has for a while been to become an Urban Planner in order to combat the systematic disinvestment I have realized in my own communities growing up. I firmly believe good city planning can be a gateway to prosperity on the Southside and throughout the country!

Wilma Mendoza

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Wilma Mendoza, a proud Chicago native, holds a degree in Public Policy and Urban Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her profound affection for the city and its communities serves as the driving force behind her passionate commitment to understanding urban planning policy and land usage decisions. Currently, she serves as the Clerk for the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards in the City of Chicago.

Wilma’s mission is to apply community organizing to her career to advocate for the well-being of all urban residents, regardless of their status. A pressing need exists for intersectional planning in the City of Chicago to both preserve and create safe and prosperous environments for everyone.