The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute will be expanding its D.C. internships for undergraduates come 2010, thanks to a $1 million check from Wal-Mart. The hefty donation will allow CHCI to increase its Capitol Hill internships from only summers to year-round while doubling the internship's yearly attendance.
"Right now only 1.9 percent of senate staffers are Latino and 2 percent of senior staff members are Latino," said Scott Gunderson Rosa of CHCI. "We've been working with Wal-Mart since 1997, [and] this is an initiative that they thought was worthwhile."
Wal-Mart said in a press release that its charity to minority organizations such as CHCI is a reflection of the company's diverse global industry.
CHCI, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, currently provides 30 Hispanic college students with the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill. Students conduct research, monitor Congressional hearings, and do general office work. It is one of few internships that pays its interns; they receive free airfare to and from D.C., housing, and a stipend. CHCI stressed the importance of both having young Hispanics involved in government as well as paying them for their work.
Rosa reported that although schoolwork is an important factor in choosing candidates for the internship, the Congressional Internship Program wants students who are active in their communities. "There are no GPA qualification standards," said Rosa.
Rosa also noted that this was about more than bringing Hispanics to Capitol Hill. "We also look at bringing in a diverse class. We like to provide exposure of Latinos to other Latinos," said Rosa, noting that the program aims to acquire candidates of Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, and all other Hispanic descent. "It's a learning experience for them to interact with people from all over the country."
Although CHCI is a Hispanic-focused organization, the group works with both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Senators and representatives.
CHCI offers a fellowship program for college graduates, which lasts nine months and includes working with the legislative branch as well as taking labor-intensive courses in leadership.
