CHCI and Walmart Partner to Create Year-Round Internships for Latino Undergraduates
CHCI Welcomes First Ever Spring Congressional Internship Class
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation's premier Latino youth leadership development and educational organization, today announced the arrival of its first ever spring Congressional Internship class. The class represents the first of CHCI's new year-round internship program thanks to a $1 million donation from Walmart.
"CHCI seeks to increase diversity on Capitol Hill and expose Latino youth to the inner workings of the federal government," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, CHCI Chair. "Building on the past success of the Congressional Internship program, we are proud to be working year-round to create pathways for our future leaders."
"I want to welcome the Walmart/CHCI Congressional Internship students to Washington," said Ivan Zapien, senior director for Federal government affairs for Walmart. "At Walmart, we value and encourage diversity of thought and background in our stores, Sam's Clubs, and offices. We hope this semester will give the first class of eight students a broad view of our government and a rich and diverse experience that will shape them as leaders."
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2010 Spring Congressional Internship Class met with White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans Director Juan Sepúlveda and CHCI President & CEO Esther Aguilera (centered) during their orientation week. |
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Walmart's support will allow CHCI to eventually triple the number of Latino youth who will have the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill each year as part of its award-winning Congressional Internship program.
CHCI Spring Congressional Intern and Bronx, New York native Limer Batista is ready to get to work. "There is no better experience for a student than to be placed in a congressional office for 12 weeks. It's the hands on experience I have been longing for, and now I can finally do it. I am sure this internship will exceed my expectations and enhance my leadership skills."
Congressional Interns participate in weekly CHCI leadership and professional development sessions and meet with corporate representatives, national elected officials and foreign dignitaries. They are also required to engage in a community service project while in Washington. D.C. The Interns are provided with housing, roundtrip transportation to and from Washington, D.C., and a stipend.
CHCI's Congressional Internship Program (CIP) was named one of the Top Twenty Leadership Programs for Latinos by Latino Leaders magazine in 2009. Applicants can apply for the CIP at www.chci.org. The deadline for the 2010 summer session is February 5, 2010, and the 2010 fall session is April 30, 2010.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit www.chci.org.
Media Contact:
Scott Gunderson Rosa: (202) 548-5876
