• When does the program begin and when does it end?
Interns move in the last weekend of August. They get a couple of days to settle down,
become orientated with the place and the program, and meet some of the church staff and
members. Then, the interns go on their first retreat to start the year. Interns begin
work on the Tuesday after Labor Day. The official end date of the program is mid-August
of the following year.
• What if the intern
needs to end the program earlier to go to grad school or to start
a new job?
Although we encourage every intern to complete the year of service, EUIP does understand
that some interns may have to leave before the end date. We handle such issues on a
case-by-case basis.
• How much is the stipend and is it enough to live on?
Each intern receives $520.00 monthly (as of the 2006-2007 year). Because housing and
utilities, medical and dental insurance, and cost of auto maintenance are paid for by
the program, intern's main expenses are food, gas, auto insurance and entertainment.
For a simple life, the stipend is enough. In the past, some intern communities have
agreed to share certain household expenses. However, each group is different; it is
up to the interns how they will try to stretch their budget.
• Where is Inglewood? What is it like? Is it a safe community?
Inglewood is an urban area of about 90,000 residents bordering Los Angeles in the
north and east, Hawthorne in the south, and Westchester in the west. EUIP itself is
very close to downtown Inglewood and is a couple of blocks away from Inglewood City
Hall. The house is a 10-minute drive from the Los Angeles International Airport. The
neighborhood is composed mainly of family households, middle to low-income. The bank,
grocery store, drug store, library and post office are all within walking distance.
For safety, state-of-the-art alarm systems are installed in the house and surrounding
church buildings. Bright outdoor lighting illuminates the grounds at night. All windows
are secure. As anywhere else in Los Angeles, one should be careful and alert at all times.
• What are the living spaces like?
There are three bedrooms, which are located upstairs — one single, one double,
and one that can be a triple, if needed. The Program Director determines room assignments
according to the male-to-female ratio of the interns. The kitchen is downstairs and
interns have to share it with the church and its outreach programs, particularly during
the day and some nights, when church groups and committees meet.
• How far are the work sites from the house? Do interns need to drive?
EUIP tries its best to choose work sites that are in Los Angeles or in the
vicinity. They are all a driving distance away from the house — walking or taking
public transportation would not be possible at all times. Some interns have use
public transportation, however in LA this requires large amounts of patience.
We recommend that interns bring their own cars. However, EUIP does provide cars for
interns who need them.
• What is the deal when driving an EUIP car? Who pays for what?
EUIP will let an intern use the car as if it was his/her own. The intern will go on EUIP's
auto insurance plan, a large part of which the intern will pay for out of the monthly
stipend. EUIP will subsidize a portion of the insurance payment depending upon the driving
record of the intern. (The typical cost to the intern is about $100/month.) The program
will cover all the maintenance and repair costs for the car, although the intern is
responsible for taking the car in for service.
• What if I bring my own car?
EUIP will pay for some auto maintenance costs. Typically, interns who bring their
own cars and keep their current insurance carrier pay less for auto insurance.
California, and Inglewood in particular, have some of the highest auto insurance
rates in the country.
• What about college loans?
Interns may defer their loans with supporting documentation from EUIP. However,
most interns will probably choose to take advantage of EUIP's affiliation with
AmeriCorps. As a participant in the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program, interns may
request for a deferment from loan holders. Interest will continue to accrue. Upon
completion of the year, interns will fill out a form that will ask the government to
pay for the interest that accrued while they performed services as an AmeriCorps member.
EUIP participates with AmeriCorps through the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
(CNVS) and our access to this reward is dependent on federal funding and CNVS's
participation in the program.
• What are the chances of getting in?
The chances of getting in depend upon the number of applicants each year. However,
quality of the program will not be sacrificed for quantity. If you have particular
concerns, please contact us directly to discuss them.
• Will knowledge of a second language help an applicant's chances?
Yes. In Los Angeles, knowing a second language such as Spanish is very useful,
especially when working in social service agencies. However, a second language
is not a requirement for acceptance into EUIP.
• What are EUIP alumni doing now?
Over 75 individuals have gone through the program since its inception in 1991. Several
of them went on to seminary and became (or are working to become) ordained ministers.
Others are pursuing careers in teaching, social work, psychology, community development,
music, art, medicine and law. Either in the religious or secular world, the private or
public sector, EUIP interns continue to lead and serve in their communities.
• What is it like to live in community?
Community life is what the interns make it. Admittedly, it is the most challenging
component of the program. Interns need to realize that commitment to the program
includes working hard to build a strong and healthy community. When the interns
make this commitment, many find the community to be one of the most transformative
elements of the program.
• What are the qualifications?
EUIP interns are college graduates who are willing to make a one-year commitment to
social service, Christian community, and spiritual growth. Applicants should be between
the ages of 21 and 30, hold a driver's license and be able to offer letters of
reference. They must be in good physical and mental health.
• Do interns get vacation time?
Interns get 2 weeks vacation time, which they work out with their respective
supervisors. However, interns who work in a school setting follow the school
calendar. Any more time off needs to be approved both by the work site supervisor
and the EUIP Program Coordinator.
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