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The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice aims to advance social justice through health care advocacy by focusing on the unique challenges facing communities of color. Through this fellowship, established to honor the memory of the late Senator Paul D. Wellstone, Families USA hopes to expand the pool of talented social justice advocates from underrepresented economic, racial, and ethnic minority groups. The ideal candidate must demonstrate an interest in health care policy and racial/ethnic health disparities. Additionally, we are looking for an individual who displays the potential to contribute to social justice work after their year of hands-on experience as a fellow.

The Wellstone Fellow plays an integral role in the work of Families USA’s Minority Health Initiatives Department. The Wellstone Fellow’s primary responsibilities include assisting in the organization of trainings for community leaders and journalists and drafting policy briefs, fact sheets, and other publications. During the year, the Wellstone Fellow will learn about Medicare, Medicaid, efforts to achieve universal coverage, and other important health policy issues. Specifically, the fellow will learn how these issues play a role in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities and improving the health of communities of color. At the same time, the Wellstone Fellow will learn about conducting health care campaigns through communication and collaboration with our network of state grassroots advocates and organizations. The fellow also has the opportunity to attend briefings and hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as numerous conferences and trainings hosted by national health care organizations and other progressive organizations. For more information about The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice, please see www.familiesusa.org/Wellstone.

The Wellstone Fellowship is a year-long, full-time, salaried ($38,000) position in Families USA’s office in Washington, DC. The position begins in August and runs through the end of July. Each year, one candidate will be selected for the fellowship.

The most important quality we seek in an applicant is a demonstrable passion for social justice. In addition, we look for applicants who have experience working with and on behalf of communities of color and who have a keen interest in health care policy and the reduction and elimination of health disparities. Successful applicants should also exhibit excellent leadership capabilities and professionalism, as well as a desire to continue doing social justice work in the future.

Applications are due by February 5, 2010. For application instructions, please go to http://www.familiesusa.org/wellstone or email wellstonefellowship@familiesusa.org for a hard copy of the application brochure.