Executive Transition
We want to share the news with our valued community about an upcoming shift to the leadership structure of the Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA) that will enable us to intensify our legal advocacy for vulnerable children and youth. Low-income children and youth in Connecticut are facing new, unprecedented challenges to their health and well-being, safety, educational achievement, and successful transition to adulthood.
To position CCA to combat these challenges, our Executive Director, Martha Stone has decided to shift to the newly created role of Special Counsel. This new role will provide CCA with crucial capacity around innovative legal approaches to entrenched systemic problems. Our Board of Directors and Management Team are partnering with EOS Transition Partners to identify CCA’s next Executive Director and we invite candidate applications and nominations via email at njackson@eostransitions.com.
Employment Opportunities
CCA is an equal-opportunity employer that actively seeks a diverse and vibrant work staff. CCA does not discriminate based on race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Below is a list of all open positions with CCA. Interested parties are invited to e-mail a cover letter and resume to employment@cca-ct.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Internship Opportunities
Please note that the Center does not have funding to pay for internships. Students must secure their own funding from their law school or another source, or be willing to volunteer their time for an internship with the Center.
The Center’s Medical Legal Partnership is a collaborative project that provides on-site legal assistance, education, training, and policy advocacy to central Connecticut pediatric centers. We offer internships to one or two energetic and dedicated law students for the fall and spring semesters and each summer.
Applicants must have excellent writing and legal reasoning skills, and should be familiar with basic aspects of poverty and public interest law.
Interns must have access to a car, and will be expected to participate in client interviews, negotiations, litigation and legal research activities. In addition, students will participate in and assist attorneys on matters at the MLPP sites at Saint Francis Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Charter Oak Community Health Center, Community Health Services, and The Hospital of Central Connecticut.
More information about the Medical Legal Partnership Project is available here.
Application Deadlines
For fall must be received by June 1.
For spring must be received by November 1.
For summer must be received by February 15.
Please send cover letter and resume to broswig@cca-ct.org
Volunteer Opportunities
SIJS Pro Bono Project
CCA trains and provides guidance and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys to represent undocumented children and youth in state probate court as part of the process to secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Securing SIJS allows children/youth, who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned, to remain legally in the U.S. and places them on a pathway to securing permanent legal residence and U.S. citizenship.
Attorneys representing children and youth through CCA’s SIJS Pro Bono Project represent them in Connecticut State Probate Court to secure a guardianship decree and a predicate decree finding that the child/youth is eligible to apply to federal immigration authorities (USCIS) to obtain SIJ status.
Attorneys interested in providing pro bono representation through CCA’s Pro Bono Project:
- Must be admitted to practice in CT state court
- Participate in CCA’s training
- Accept a case referral to represent a child/youth in state probate court on a petition for guardianship and petition for SIJ findings
Throughout the case representation, CCA provides close support and guidance including case strategy sessions, review of draft pleadings, and consultation for hearing preparation.
The number of immigrant children and youth in need of legal representation is overwhelming and the need is urgent, as children have a limited time to avail themselves of this immigration relief before they turn 21 and lose the opportunity forever. Our pro bono attorneys make a lasting difference in the lives of immigrant children and youth. For more information contact Attorney Sabrina Tavi.
The Center is always looking for energetic volunteers!
Please email email Eileen Brennan if you can help us with events, mailings, office support, donor research, or more!
Volunteer help is needed in the following areas:
Administrative
Filing and organizing, data management, development research
Special Events
Planning, logistics, day of event
Community Outreach
Spread the word about the Center’s important work
Holiday Gift Committee
Organize wrapping and gift delivery, coordinate gift donation requests
Advocacy
Contact legislators and community on behalf of the Center
Volunteer Interpreter – Spanish/English
Support attorneys who provide legal services to Spanish-speaking clients. This unpaid position may be filled by a college or graduate student and requires a commitment of at least one day per week. The Center for Children’s Advocacy will assist volunteers with work-study applications, service learning or clinical credit that is available from their schools.
Volunteer will provide interpretation during client intake calls, meetings, and telephone follow-up. May assist with document translation and other administrative tasks, will learn basic interviewing skills and become familiar with immigration law, education and juvenile law.
Qualifications
- Fluent in Spanish
- College or graduate student
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills, self-starter and highly motivated
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
Your application should include a resume, cover letter and two references.
To apply, please email Eileen Brennan.
