Wednesday, June 19, 2013

HELP WANTED: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERNS


The Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) is  uniquely set-up as the Filipino American legal defense group, of national scope, in the United States.  Based in New York, it provides pro bono legal services to members of the Filipino American community who are suffering legal injustices by reason of their immigrant origins and status and unable to engage legal aid and assistance on account of poverty.

 
FALDEF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy and scholarships aimed at educating and advancing the interests of the Filipino American community on issues and matters pertinent to immigrant and civil rights.
 

Position: 2 Marketing and Communications Interns

 
Description: FALDEF seeks dynamic, self-starter to assist marketing and communications efforts. The internship is an excellent opportunity to experience various aspects of marketing and journalism while working for a growing and known non-profit organization that supports equal access to justice.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Update and maintain FALDEF's website, social media presence, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger: Compile, write, edit, proof, maintain and create new pages and management of graphics, texts, images and video.
  • Draft, distribute and pitch news releases, media alerts and other stories
  • Plan and facilitate Marketing Committee meetings including distributing agenda and taking minutes
  • Assist in planning FALDEF sponsored events such as education workshops, free legal clinics, and advocacy meetings
  • Attend FALDEF sponsored events and write articles and reflections about the event, the attendees, and the benefits of the events to the community
  • Gather written and video testimonials from clients and organizations
  • Actively monitor all media to identify stories, current news and development of interest to the organization's advocacies
  • Manage the calendar of events through Google calendar and the FALDEF website
  • Gather contact lists and ensure that the lists are up-to-date and are used effectively to promote all events and advocacies
  • Assist in planning, writing and managing the quarterly eNewsletter
  • Work closely with other areas to help craft and implement communications strategy, coordinate media pitching and maintain consistency in organizational messaging.
  • Develop a marketing and communications budget
  • Design fliers, graphics, e-vites and other marketing materials for major events hosted by FALDEF
  • Organize and attend committee meetings including preparing agenda and project plans
  • Reach out to community organizations, general public and donors with the message about FALDEF's mission to help support equal access to justice

 


Qualifications:

  • Firm grasp of available tools and platforms of social media space
  • Completed or working toward a college degree, preferably in a related field (e.g. English, Marketing/Communications, or Public Relations)
  • Previous internship or related experience in marketing and communications is a plus
  • Must be computer literate (working knowledge of word processing, Power Point, Excel, Publisher). Knowledge of graphics design is a plus
  • An effective communicator, both written and oral
  • A good sense of humor
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team-oriented environment
  • Ability to communicate in  a professional manner with  press and community contacts
  • Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • A strategic thinker who likes to think out of the box and proactively comes up with solutions
  • Enthusiasm for the mission and values of  FALDEF, our clients and the communities we serve

 

Start Date: Position open until filled, requires 6 month commitment

 

Hours: 10-15 hours a week. (Telecommute except when attending meetings and events)

 

Compensation: This is an Unpaid/Volunteer internship

 

To Apply:  Please send a cover letter and resume to volunteer@faldef.org

FALDEF offers FREE Legal Clinic

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) held an event at the Philippine Consulate in New York on Friday June 7th, 2013. It was a free legal clinic that had a plethora of lawyers with a wide variety of different specializations. The lawyers for the event ranged from various fields including immigration, prosecution, and criminal and even included a judge. The team that was involved in this event was highly prepared to tackle any case presented to them. There were a sense of diversity and well-rounded professionalism in the room.

Not even the heavy summer rain could stop the volunteers from FALDEF, National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 1 (NaFFAA R1), Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) , Filipino American Lawyers of NY (FALANY), South Asian Bar Association of NY (SABANY) and the Philippine Consulate General of NY (PCGNY). The men and women, from different stations, became one in hope and aspiration for others.

 As a welcoming to the lawyers and the volunteers, FALDEF President, Attorney JTS Mallonga, gave a few words of appreciation and expectations to get the event started. The way it was organized began at two tables of 3 volunteers each with a general intake form as a preliminary step. After going through the general details of the client’s case, the volunteer would assign a specific lawyer indicated to handle it best. In order to provide the highest quality legal assistance possible, more than one lawyer would provide advice and feedback per case.

"This set-up was especially helpful because it made the client’s profile stronger. Most of the client’s at this free legal assistance clinic come for purposes of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), even though it is open to all kinds of legal cases.  Ultimately if we help at least one client, our efforts were put to great use. We will continue helping the Filipino- American community, but we welcome all people in need of legal assistance!" one of the FALDEF legal assistants said.

"FALDEF has given me a chance to fulfill my dreams and goals that I would have otherwise missed. I know that they have given it their all on helping me win my case and without them I wouldn't be here today. They have brought the "New York" way to Texas and helped me stay with my family and friends. They have given me the opportunity to care for my younger brother and be a father figure for him, see him grow, and help my family." said John Quidilla, a client of FALDEF who received his DACA work permit on May 2013.

FALDEF offers FREE Legal Clinic every week. To make an appointment please call (212) 221-1888 or email us at legalaid@faldef.org

This article is a collaboration of FALDEF's legal assistants and interns.


        

Trafficking: Current News and Development

submitted by FALDEF interns
 
US 7-Eleven Stores Under Investigation for Allegedly Exploiting Filipino Employees 

Inquirer, GlobalNation, reported that several 7-Eleven convenience stores in Long Island, New York and Virginia are under investigation for allegedly exploiting Filipino immigrants under a scheme similar to that of a "modern-day plantation system" where their wages are withheld and their employment concealed under stolen identities.


Full article available at:



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Blue Campaign by Department of Homeland Security aims to combat human trafficking

 
The federal government is taking news steps to bring the crime of human trafficking to light and help victims of the often hidden crime.

The Department of Homeland Security aims to do this through the Blue Campaign, and will launch a logo, website and a mission statement. The effort also includes the distribution of posters, tip sheets and public service announcements about trafficking.

"It is such an insidious crime that is often not recognized enough," Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano told USA TODAY. "We want to bring it out of the shadows, go after the perpetrators, and we want to make sure the victims are taken care of."

 
Full article available at
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/05/blue-campaign-by-dhs-aims-to-combat-human-trafficking/2389639/

 

Authorities launch Orlando human-trafficking task force

Florida has one of the highest instances of human trafficking in the country.

Orange County leads the state in the number of human trafficking cases referred.

Teenage girls who are trafficked into Orlando are often forced into prostitution.

 
Full article available at
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-06-03/news/os-human-trafficking-task-force-20130603_1_task-force-human-trafficking-pria-gunn

 

World-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao joins fights against human trafficking

 
Manny Pacquiao has partnered with anti-trafficking organization Visayan Forum to help victims of human trafficking in the Philippines.

The organization, headed by human rights pioneer Cecilia Flores-Oeband, has helped more than 15,000 young girls since it began.

Cecilia and Visayan Forum run halfway houses for girls all over the country, four support centers for domestic workers and one safe house, a home for those worst affected.

Full article available at 

 

Filipina threatened to return to the Philippines if she did not obey the rules of alleged human traffickers, court in Canada hears

Leticia Sarmento, a Filipina nanny, told a B.C Supreme Court that her employers threatened to send her back home to the Philippines if she complained about her 16-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week work schedule in Vancouver.

Sarmiento testified that her employers repeatedly called her stupid in Chinese while poking her in the head.

She was never allowed to have private phone calls or leave the house without one of her employers accompanying her.

The trial is currently ongoing.


Full article available at
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Human+trafficking+trial+hears+nanny+fears+return/8463171/story.html
 


Human Trafficking Resources, News and Development are available at our website:
http://faldef.org/index.php/human-trafficking-resources

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

A DREAMer's story: FALDEF Client, John Quidilla




Hi my name is John Quidilla. I live here in Plano, Texas with my family.

I moved to here in March 1999 with my family for my father’s work with a Visa. I finished middle school, high school, and started college here.  On July 20, 2008 my father passed away.  Along with this my family’s Green card process was stopped. My mom and siblings were able to retain their legal status, but my application for a student Visa was denied. My family and I thought it would be best for me to finish college here and go from there.

In November of 2011 I was picked up by I.C.E. early morning at my home. I was detained and taken to a detention center to be questioned. I waited in a holding cell for a couple of hours but was released on bail and allowed to go home later that day.

My mom searched for lawyers and found FALDEF. She called them to ask for help and they agreed to work on my case. After 3 court dates, President Obama’s executive order and 8 months after filing for DACA, I finally get my Employment Authorization card.

Thanks to the help and support of FALDEF, Phil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Texas, friends and family that I am still here today.

Live Band Night at Payag featuring Fil-Harmonic for the benefit of FALDEF

by Cecilia R. Mejia
 
 

(Photo booth pictures by Joven Jose)
 
 On Friday, May 17, Payag Restaurant, in Sunnyside Queens, hosted a benefit show for the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund. The show was part of a Live Band Series that the restaurant hosts. The night featured the most popular band of the series, the FilHarmonic Band, who so bigheartedly put on a show in support of the organization. Guest of FALDEF, FilHarmonic and PAYAG joined in a night of music, laughter, and good times.  Thanks to the generous donation of Hocus Focus Inc, there was also a photo booth set up for guests to enjoy. The night was a success in many ways, more importantly the work of FALDEF was brought to the attention of those in the Community, as Payag Manager so adamantly stated, “Every Filipino should be supporting your organization.” 
 
We are proud to announce that there will be another event for the benefit FALDEF at Payag featuring the FilHarmonic Band on Friday, June 21.