Introduction

The Episcopal Urban Intern Program is a unique experience bringing together young adults from all over the United States to live in Christian community and to work in social service agencies in and around Los Angeles.

EUIP began in 1990 based on an idea of The Rt. Rev. Frederick H. Borsch, then Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Bishop Borsch had long advocated for a national Episcopal volunteer corps for young adults. His idea began to take shape when in August of 1990, The Rev. Gary Commins, then Rector of Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Inglewood, offered to coordinate such a program and house the interns at Holy Faith's rectory.

EUIP was founded on three principles: Service, Community and Spiritual Growth.

Service

"The homeless families I encounter [in my work] have inspired me and given my future a positive new direction." (Former intern)

The one-year term of service begins with a program orientation the last week of August. Interns work a full 40-hour week. On occasion overtime or weekend work may be requested. Interns receive two weeks of vacation, which they negotiate with their work supervisors. Interns assigned to schools follow the school's schedule of holidays and breaks.

Though referred to as "interns", EUIP participants are considered "regular employees" on the job. They hold positions with specified duties and responsibilities. Interns also receive appropriate training and supervision.

Work sites vary from year to year. Interns have provided assistance to agencies serving the homeless, abused children, at-risk youth, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. They are assigned work sites according to their interests and abilities.

Some of our previous worksites are listed below. (The brief descriptions were adapted from brochures and informational materials provided by the agencies themselves.):

1. Chrysalis (Pacoima) www.chrysalisworks.org
14015 Van Nuys Boulevard, Ste E, Pacoima, CA 91331

"One man's belief that the downtrodden and hopeless could transform their own lives, sparked the creation of Chrysalis." Founded in 1984 by John Dillon, as a food and clothing distribution center serving homeless men and women living on the streets of Los Angeles' Skid Row, "Chrysalis now continues to follow the vision of its founder to help the homeless survive, stabilize and become economically self-sufficient — change lives through jobs. As the agency grew it became clear that longer-term solutions were needed in order to eradicate poverty and homelessness. Chrysalis developed an effective and nationally recognized program to help homeless people become job ready and ultimately find and retain employment. Today, Chrysalis' philosophy remains the same - a steady job is the single most important step in a person's transition to long-term self-sufficiency."

2. Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, Burton Green School www.lachild.org
3787 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007

"The Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic is a private, non-profit, community-based mental health clinic with a 75-year history of service to the children of Central and South Central Los Angeles. The goals of the Clinic are twofold: One is to help children reach their emotional, educational, social and vocational potential...The second is to educate, serve and support parents and other caregivers..."

3. St. Joseph Center www.stjosephctr.org
204 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291

"Founded in 1976, St. Joseph Center works to transform the cycle of poverty into a path of empowerment by fostering the hope, skills and self-confidence which encourage homeless and low-income people to take positive action toward building stability and self-reliance. The Housing Assistance Program assists 150 formerly homeless disabled, elderly, and low-income people each year to secure and maintain permanent housing."
Instructor/Computer Lab Coordinator (half-time)
"St. Joseph Center seeks to assist young people and their families toward increased personal well-being and opportunities for long-term financial self-sufficiency. Case management, classes and other activities help parents and youth to boost academic performance and employability, create harmonious families and homes, develop healthy attitudes and habits, expand their views of the world and themselves and express emotions in a constructive manner."

4. My Friend's Place www.myfriendsplace.org
5850 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

"My Friend's Place assists and inspires homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives. In 1988, an entertainment executive initiated a volunteer-led, mobile meal program to distribute sack lunches to the homeless youth in the Hollywood community. Two years later, the volunteer group first opened the doors of a facility they called My Friend's Place and began to add social services and creative opportunities to their services. Today, My Friend's Place is the most frequently visited drop-in Resource Center for homeless youth in Southern California serving 1,000 youth ages 12 and over and their children, each year."

5. Hillsides Education Center www.hillsides.org
940 Avenue 64, Pasadena, CA 91105

Hillsides creates safe places for children by treating abuse, neglect and mental illness; strengthening families; providing special education; and advocating for children's rights. From its inception in 1913 as an Episcopal Orphanage, The Church Home for Children, until its present-day status as a private, non-profit treatment center, Hillsides has never wavered from its commitment to creating a safe place for children. Although it began as an orphanage, Hillsides now works to end the cycle of abuse that destroys children and tears families apart.

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Community

"I was continuously challenged, nurtured and shaped by my community." (Former intern)

Interns live in an intentional Christian Community, providing support to one another through their challenging and transformative year together. Community also includes the congregation of Holy Faith, an urban, multi-cultural parish celebrating the diversity and culture of its African, Latino, Anglo, African-American and Caribbean members.

Interns are expected to live in the housing provided and to participate in building a strong community. The program accepts 5 to 6 interns every year. Together they share a two-story house that doubles as Holy Faith's office. Interns maintain privacy in their bedrooms upstairs, while staff and parishioners keep the downstairs' offices and common areas (including the kitchen) buzzing during the day.

Interns receive a $520.00 sustenance stipend every month to pay for food, gas, auto insurance, entertainment, etc. EUIP provides housing, health insurance, and covers the cost of some auto maintenance. Interns who do not have their own transportation may borrow one of the three program cars for their use throughout the year.

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Spiritual Growth

"The times I find the sustaining presence of God in other people's lives are the times I find it in mine." (Former intern)

An important cornerstone of EUIP is the opportunity for participants to practice their faith and grow spiritually in the process. Weekly, interns meet with the Director for reflection on work and community life. They also may read writings by Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Joan Chichester, to mention a few, and discuss them as a group.

The interns decide the nature of their spiritual life together. In the past, interns have met together twice a week for Bible study, prayer and/or fellowship.

Four times during the year, interns go on retreat to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate. The locations for the retreats vary, but have included Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and San Diego. EUIP believes in the importance of these retreats, as fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of an intern is not easy. In addition to the four retreats with EUIP, interns participate in a national gathering of interns in similar programs within the Episcopal Church. This gathering is hosted by one of the programs each year and has taken place in Los Angeles (EUIP), Dallas (Pathways), and Boston (Micah Project).

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2007-2008 EUIP Interns

Janna

Janna is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and is currently working at St. Joseph Center.

Jessie

Jessie is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University and is currently working at the United Methodist Urban Foundation.

D'Anthony

D'Anthony is a graduate of The University of The South and is currently working at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic.

Caitlin

Caitlin is a graduate of Pitzer College and is currently working at My Friends Place.

David

David is a graduate of Grinnell College and is currently working at Hillsides Educational Center.

Roc

Roc is a graduate of Houghton College and is currently working at Chrysalis.

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Board Members

The Episcopal Urban Intern Program's Board of Directors support the interns in their year of service and growth, raise awareness of the program within the Diocese and the community, as well as assist in the financial oversight of the Program. Much appreciation to the dedicated Board Members of the Episcopal Urban Intern Program! Their time, talents and treasure are vital in EUIP's ministry.

The Board currently consists of 8 members who each serve a two year term. The Board includes, but is not limited to, the rector of Holy Faith, local Episcopal clergy, former interns, and members of Holy Faith and often also includes representatives from the worksites. Additionally, EUIP staff and an intern representative serve in an ex officio capacity.

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Staff

The Rev. Jason Cox, Executive Director

Jason Cox was appointed Executive Director of EUIP in July, 2007. A passionate advocate for social and economic justice, Jason served as an intern in the program class of 2002-03, working as a case manager in a transitional housing facility on LA’s skid row. Following his intern year, Jason entered Virginia Theological Seminary, earning an M.Div. in May, 2007. EUIP combines two of Jason’s ministry passions: young adult formation and social justice.

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