KIP Student Feature – Emily Schwartz
Emily Schwartz (CAS’24) is majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology and Spanish with a minor in Latin American Studies. This summer she completed an internship with The Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP) in Chelsea, MA. Here she tutored community members in English as well as assisted with clerical work for the organization. In this feature, Emily tells us more about what her internship entailed and how this work has influenced her perspectives on social justice.
Q&A with Emily Schwartz
Could you give us a brief description of the organization you are interning with and what your primary responsibilities are during this internship?
The ILP (Intergenerational Literacy Program) offers English classes, GED equivalency classes, basic literacy, and family literacy classes to the immigrant communities of Chelsea and its surrounding areas. As a summer program intern with the ILP, I work as a tutor in a variety of classes, but my main tutoring role is in the first level (ESOL 1) English class working with adult learners to support their English-learning progress. As an intern, I also assist with clerical work in the office which has enabled me to get to know the “behind the scenes” workings of the community-based organization.
How did your internship fulfill the goals of social justice?
My work at the ILP, and the variety of services provided by the ILP, fulfill the goals of social justice because it provides the learners with support in their educational endeavors that will have a real impact on their lives and opportunities in the United States. The ILP is an organization rooted in the Chelsea immigrant community to best serve the needs of each individual pursuing the language and education skills they need to accomplish their goals.
Has the work you have done this summer changed how you think about social justice?
Yes, my work at the ILP has changed my perspective on social justice. What I see with so many learners and within the structure of the organization itself is an emphasis on opportunity. Opportunities for new jobs and for continued education, and opportunities to support their children’s futures in this country. Building these opportunities is what propels people forward in their goals while also helping them find their place and security in a country that can so quickly overlook their hard work. I think working at the ILP has also made me think about the importance of recognizing and truly acknowledging the hard work and dedication that so many individuals with immigrant backgrounds bring to their work and personal lives rather than taking this dedication for granted. Social justice can also mean further valuing these individuals and viewing their incomparable work ethics as something our society has the privilege of benefiting from rather than assuming it is innately owed.
Learn more about the Kilachand Internship Program here.