Prison Book Club Internship

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop is a non-profit that works with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youths and adults. Our mission is to awaken our members to their own potential and inspire them to transform their lives. By employing a unique program model that includes a book club, creative writing workshops, job readiness training, and classroom outreach, we support our members as they heal from violence and pursue education and employment post-incarceration. We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to serve as the Prison Book Club Intern. This position is a great fit for students interested in social justice, mass incarceration, education, or creative writing.

Responsibilities may include:

• Typing member poetry and providing constructive feedback
• Digitizing letters from incarcerated individuals and tracking vital information from this correspondence
• Writing letters to the incarcerated youths and adults in our program
• Writing content for our newsletter, the Free Minds Connect, distributed to 500+ members in the federal prison system
• Creating activity kits and educational worksheets for Book Club members in solitary confinement
• Assisting with the preparation and planning of our “On the Same Page” community engagement program
• Attending events to learn more about the criminal legal system and reform efforts
• Coordinating with volunteers providing program support
• Tracking the locations of incarcerated members and assisting with mailings
• Assisting with other program support as needed

This position is for 10-20 hours per week, and we can be somewhat flexible on scheduling. In addition to regular business hours, we have evening programming on Mondays; applicants must be available during this time. This internship offers a unique chance to make a direct and meaningful impact in the lives of people affected by mass incarceration, using the innovative tools of books and poetry. Internship available starting in May. Start/end dates are flexible, but we ask for at least a 10-week commitment. Please visit www.freemindsbookclub.org for more information on our program.

Qualifications:

• Interest in the nonprofit sector and social justice
• Flexible self-starter with willingness to take on a variety of assignments
• Strong work ethic and a good sense of humor
• Experience with Microsoft Excel a plus
• Experience with Zoom a plus
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage time effectively and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for books, creative writing, and the power of expression as a tool for change
• Creative with basic art or design skills a strong plus
• Available to work a minimum of 10 hours per week
• Available to work in the office (in-person) and virtual
• Spanish language skills are a plus

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop is an equal opportunity employer.

Individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a hybrid position, with some days working in the Free Minds office and some days teleworking.