HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS
AIDS Action Committee
The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England's oldest and largest  AIDS organization. Since it was created in 1983, AIDS Action has served one of every two Massachusetts residents who have ever been diagnosed with AIDS. AIDS Action's mission is three-fold: to provide support services for people living with AIDS and HIV; to educate the public and health professionals about HIV transmission, treatment and prevention; and to advocate for fair and effective AIDS policy at the city, state and federal levels.
For volunteer information, see http://www.aac.org/youcanhelp_volunteer.htm
American Refugee Committee
The American Refugee Committee (ARC) works for the survival, health, and well-being of refugees, displaced persons, and those at risk, and seeks to enable them to rebuild productive lives of dignity and purpose, striving always to respect the values of those served. ARC is an international nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that has provided multisectoral humanitarian assistance and training to hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries for over 20 years.
Unpaid internships in their Minneapolis Headquarters office and short-term overseas positions may be available depending on qualifications. See http://www.archq.org/volunteer.shtml for details.
American Friends Service Committee
 The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Founded in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian victims during World War I, today the AFSC has programs that focus on issues related to economic justice, peace-building and demilitarization, social justice, and youth, in the United States, and in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
See http://www.afsc.org/jobs.htm for various internship and employment opportunities. Bread for the World
Bread for the World
Bread for the World's 45,000 members contact their senators and representatives about legislation that affects hungry people in the United States and worldwide. They do not provide direct relief or development assistance. Rather, they focus on using their power as citizens in a democracy to support policies that address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
For information on internship opportunities, check their webpage http://www.bread.org/jobs/internships.html
Center for Economic and Social Rights
CESR was established in 1993 to address a critical gap in human rights and activism in general. One of the first organizations to challenge economic injustice as a violation of international human rights law, CESR believes that economic and social rights-- legally binding on all nations -- can provide a universally accepted framework for strengthening social justice activism. Through its projects abroad and in the United States, CESR has developed an effective strategy that combines research, advocacy, collaboration, and education. The basic aim of our work is to mobilize people to confront the policies that keep them poor. While the challenges are immense, real change is possible when disenfranchised communities use human rights to hold decision-makers – be they governments or corporations – accountable for their actions.
See http://www.cesr.org/JOBS/jobs.htm for internship opportunities.
Center for Ethics and Economic Policy
The Center for Ethics and Economic Policy (CEEP) conducts economics education, in a framework of ethics and values, for communities, institutions and grassroots organizations who wish to further their own goals of organizing, advocacy and leadership. Through economics education we promote a greater understanding of the inherent relationship between economics and the social and political issues impacting communities today. In educating about issues of economic justice, we foster cross-class and multi-racial coalitions and a movement for a just economy where all participate in the collective resources and wealth of the society.
See http://www.ceep.com/volun.html for internship opportunities
Center of Concern
Founded in 1971, the CENTER OF CONCERN is a nonprofit organization, near Catholic University that promotes social analysis, theological reflection, policy advocacy and public education on issues of global development, domestic/global links, and just international finance and trade. Center employees work in a multi-cultural and inter-religious environment.
See http://www.coc.org/interns.htm for internship opportunities.
Center for International Policy
The Center for International Policy was founded in 1975 to promote a U.S. foreign policy that reflects democratic values. Through research, education, and direct public advocacy, CIP works to define and put into practice a more sympathetic, farsighted, and non-militaristic approach to the developing world. In recent years, the Center has worked for the restoration of democracy in Haiti, the adoption of a more rational policy toward Cuba, and the promotion of Central America's peace process.
See http://www.us.net/cip/intern.htm for internship opportunities.
Concern Worldwide
Concern Worlwide is a non-denominational, voluntary organization committed to the relief, assistance and advancement of peoples in need in less developed areas of the world, while concentrating on the poorest people in its countries of operation. Concern seeks also to engage the peoples of both donor and recipient countries more fully in the practical struggle against poverty and injustice in the world. Concern bases its work on the principle that development is a process which occurs with people, proceeds at their pace, and is achieved, not given.
For volunteer information, see http://www.concernusa.org/index0.htm
Criminal Justice Policy Coalition
 The Criminal Justice Policy Coalition was formed to promote progressive reform in the Massachusetts criminal justice system. CJPC brings together grassroots activists, families of prisoners, church-based volunteers, lawyers, academics, criminal justice professionals, lobbying organizations, and concerned citizens for joint action through forums, meetings, and work with the media. The CJPC advocates for alternatives to incarceration for all but the most serious crimes. It opposes mandatory minimum sentences and the death penalty. Choosing to address drug addiction as a health concern rather than a criminal problem, the CJPC argues for the redistribution of resources from interdiction and law enforcement to prevention, education, and comprehensive drug treatment. The CJPC also works to expand prisoner education, job training, and drug and mental health treatment within institutions. In addition, the CJPC promotes increased utilization of family and community links, such as work-release, pre-release, furloughs, and halfway houses.
For volunteer and internship opportunities, see http://www.cjpc.org/how_you_can_help.html
The Development Group for Alternative Policies
The DGAP is a center for analysis, advocacy, and action toward constructive change. Since 1977, the Development Group for Alternative Policies has worked to ensure that the knowledge, priorities, and efforts of the people of poor countries inform the international policy choices of wealthy countries. The Development GAP assists developing-country grassroots efforts and non-governmental organizations to develop the institutional capacity necessary to engage in effective advocacy, policy analysis, and policy development. The DGAP aims to educate U.S. policymakers, the media, and the public about the economic-reform measures that contribute to ecological and economic devastation in poor countries. With its partners in poor countries, the DGAP defines and promotes alternative approaches to development that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. For policymakers and program officials who also aim to promote a development that is rooted in local realities and priorities, DGAP provides resources, guidance, and examples of successful development projects.
For internship opportunities, see http://www.igc.org/dgap/intern.html
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is the world's largest independent international medical relief agency aiding victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and others who lack health care due to geographic remoteness or ethnic marginalization. The organization operates independently of all governments, institutions, political, economic, or religious influences. It depends on volunteer health professionals in fulfilling its mission. When medical assistance is not enough to save lives, MSF will speak out against human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law that its teams witness in the course of providing medical relief. Doctors Without Borders is an international organization, with offices in 18 countries. It sends more than 2,000 volunteers, of more than 45 nationalities, to some 80 countries annually.
View volunteer information at http://www.msf.org/msf/volunteer.htm
Dollars and Sense
The first Dollars & Sense, a 16-page bulletin that sold for 50 cents, came out in November 1974. Sponsored by the Union for Radical Political Economics, and produced by a collective of URPE members, D&S sought to challenge the mainstream media's account of how the U.S. economy works by publishing popularly written, critical articles in an accessible format. Dollars & Sense continues to meet the need for "left perspectives on current economic affairs," as our current masthead proclaims. We print articles by journalists, activists, and scholars on a broad range of topics with an economic theme: the economy, housing, union reform, government regulation, unemployment, the environment, urban conflict and activism.
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/joinus/interns.html was under construction at print time, but the office does engage local activists and interns to assist in the publication of the magazine.
Economic Policy Institute
 The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy. The organization provides high-quality research and education in order to promote a prosperous, fair, and sustainable economy. It stresses real world analysis and a concern for the living standards of working people, and it makes its findings accessible to the general public, the media, and policy makers. EPI's staff and its network of researchers have a commitment to a free exchange of ideas, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
EPI works to strengthen democracy by providing people with the tools to participate in the public discussion on the economy, believing that such participation will result in economic policies that better reflect the public interest.
Education Development Center, Inc.
EDC is committed to education that builds knowledge and skill, makes possible a deeper understanding of the world, and engages learners as active, problem-solving participants. Fundamental questions of equity, diversity, and social justice take on special significance in all of their work. EDC programs are designed to enhance learning opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. In addition to designing curricula and other educational tools and systems, EDC works to improve the conditions for learning. It manages projects focusing on nutrition, environmental protection, substance abuse, and injury, violence, and disease prevention. EDC also collaborates with communities, institutions, and governments to create environments in which ongoing learning is valued and nurtured.
See http://notes.edc.org/EDC/jobs.nsf for job and internship opportunities.
50 Years Is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic Justice
This is a coalition of 205 grassroots, faith-based, policy, women's, social- and economic-justice, youth, solidarity, labor, and development organizations dedicated to the profound transformation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Through education and action the Network is committed to making international financial institutions democratic and accountable to those who have to live with the effects of their policies and practices. We formed on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the World Bank and IMF.
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in 61 countries. It is one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK. Over the years they have won many battles with government and industry - achieving bans on ozone-destroying CFCs, reduced trade in rainforest timber, increased support for cleaner energy technologies, and much more.
See http://www.foe.co.uk/jobs/volunteering/ for information on volunteering.
Fund for Peace
The Fund for Peace pursues issues where the fields of peace and security, human rights, growth and development and humanitarian action converge. Their various programs strengthen the ability of decision-makers and analysts to forecast such conflicts, apply preventive diplomacy, assess the effectiveness of responses, stem arms flows and work with key constituencies to advance human rights.
For internship information, see http://www.fundforpeace.org/ffp/interns/interns.htm
Freedom House
 Freedom House is a leading advocate of the world's young democracies, which are coping with the debilitating legacy of statism, dictatorship, and political repression. It conducts an array of U.S. and overseas research, advocacy, education, and training initiatives that promote human rights, democracy, free market economics, the rule of law, independent media, and U.S. engagement in international affairs.
Visit http://www.freedomhouse.org/involved/internships.htm for internship opportunities.
Global Exchange Cuba Program
Global Exchange works for social justice through education and the creation of economic opportunities. Using varied approaches, Global Exchange educates the public on the political, economic, and human rights status of countries such as Cuba, Haiti, South Africa, Ireland, Brazil, and Vietnam. The Exchange publishes newsletters and sponsors speakers, conferences, and media appearances. Expanding on issues of general concern, Action Alerts detail specific human rights violations and Reality Tours enable concerned individuals to meet with farmers, human rights and peace activists, church workers, environmentalists, government officials, and opposition leaders in the developing world. Global Exchange promotes alternative trade that benefits low-income producers and artisan co-operatives. Two craft stores operated by Global Exchange support fair trade and provide income for thousands of craftspeople from over 30 developing countries while educating Americans about foreign cultures and international trade. To ensure human rights protection, Global Exchange also monitors elections, reports on human rights violations, and sends volunteers to conflict zones such as Chiapas, Mexico. Extensive internship and volunteer opportunities available
See http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/volunteer.html
Grassroots International
Grassroots International is an independent agency committed to progressive social change. We work with more than 30 community-based partner organizations that are transforming their societies as they struggle to secure social, political, economic and cultural rights. We provide cash grants and material aid to our partners in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. These partnerships recognize that social change is only successful when people in their own communities address the root causes of their problems. In addition to direct grantmaking, we do advocacy and public education on behalf of our partners.
For internship information, see http://www.grassrootsonline.org/jobsandinternships.htm
Harm Reduction Coalition
The Harm Reduction Coalition is a union of activists, community and spiritual groups, and professionals who have come together out of a commitment to reduce drug-related harm to individuals and communities. To nurture recovering and active drug users’ ability to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities, HRC initiates and promotes local, regional, and national harm reduction education, interventions, and community organizing. They promote alternative models to conventional drug treatment and health and human services while challenging traditional client/provider relationships. HRC provides health professionals, drug users, and their communities with educational materials and support for programs of rehabilitation, needle exchange, abstinence-oriented drug treatment, safe and responsible drug use, and chemotherapeutic drug treatment.
Haiti Support Group-London
The Haiti Support Group, based in London, United Kingdom, was formed in June 1992. It works to raise awareness in the UK of the struggle for a popular, participatory democracy in Haiti. The Haiti Support Group publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, 'Haiti Briefing', distributed to 1,000 members and supporters, organises visits to the UK by representatives of Haiti's popular and democratic movement, facilitates links between progressive organizations in Haiti and the UK, and provides information on Haiti to British politicians, development aid agencies, journalists and students.
Headwaters International
Headwaters is a non-profit educational group created in 1974 to protect critical watersheds in southwest Oregon. It believes that a diversified and sustainable economy depends on the wisest use of our natural resources. As citizens they work for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems. Their primary goal is to reform the logging practices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Managment on our public forests. Programs include Forestry Protection, Timber Sale Tracking / Litigation, Clean Water Campaign, People & Nature Partnership, Progressive Coalition, and Headwaters Press.
See http://www.headwaters.org/volunteer.html for information (under construction at print time).
Health Action International
Health Action International (HAI) is a non-profit, global network of health, development, consumer and other public interest groups in more than 70 countries working for a more rational use of medicinal drugs. HAI represents the interests of consumers in drug policy and believes that all drugs marketed should meet real medical needs and should be acceptably safe, effective, and affordable. HAI also campaigns for better controls on drug promotion and the provision of balanced, independent information for prescribers and consumers. It supports the Essential Drug Policy of the World Health Organization (WHO) which concentrates on the supply and use of some 250 drugs considered to be the most essential. The group believes that access to these essential drugs should be the guiding principle used to assess the effects of intellectual property rights on pharmaceuticals. In other words, they believe that public health interests should have primacy over commercial interests in questions of trade.
Health Care for All
Health Care For All is building a movement of empowered people and communities with  the goal of creating a health care system that is responsive to the needs of all people, particularly the most vulnerable. Health Care For All is dedicated to making quality health care a right of all people.
Go to “Employment and Jobs” from their home page for employment and internship information.
HealthWrights
HealthWrights is a non-profit organization committed to advancing the health, basic rights, social equality, and self-determination of disadvantaged persons and groups. It focuses on community health mainly in the 3rd World in the South, but increasingly in disadvantaged communities in the North. HealthWrights analyzes the man-made causes of poor health, and raises awareness to mobilize a broad-based grassroots movement to work toward fairer and healthier social structures.
It also develops and distributes educational materials on health and human rights, presented clearly and simply so that people at all educational levels can understand them.
Hispanic Health Council
The Hispanic Health Council was founded in 1978 to address the health-care and educational needs of Hartford’s Latino community. Today HHC is a community-based research, education, and advocacy organization that serves oppressed communities in and around Connecticut’s capital. It is comprised of bilingual and bicultural health educators, social scientists, public health specialists, and concerned individuals. HHC has developed a comprehensive approach to improving the physical, emotional, and social well-being of community members by linking research with direct service. It develops innovative, culturally appropriate programs while also making policy recommendations. HHC’s research focuses on health (including mental health), dietary beliefs and practices, help-seeking patterns, treatment experiences, and effectiveness of interventions. The Council shares its research findings with urban organizations throughout the United States through publications, conferences, and workshops.
Visit http://www.hispanichealth.com/interns.htm for internship information.
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer
 Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) is an integrated system of health care that provides hospital treatment and public health and development programs for the 285,000 impoverished people of the Artibonite Valley in Haiti. HAS relies on monetary help from its “partner organizations” for approximately 50% of the annual operating budget and is staffed by both Haitian and visiting medical professionals.
See http://www.homestead.com/hashaiti/volunteer.html for volunteer information.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. It stands with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. HRW investigates and exposes human rights violations and holds abusers accountable. It challenges governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
For internship information, visit http://www.hrw.org/about/Intship1.htm
Heifer Project International
Heifer Project animals (and training in their care) offer hungry families around the world  a way to feed themselves and become self-reliant. Children receive nutritious milk or eggs; families earn income for school, health care and better housing; communities go beyond meeting immediate needs to fulfilling dreams. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural techniques.
Visit http://www.heifer.org/get_involved/index.htm to get involved.
Hesperian Foundation
The Hesperian Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving the health of people in poor communities throughout the world by making health information accessible. It produces books and other educational resources for community-based health care. The Foundation promotes the right to health for all people, and believes that people can and should take the lead in their own health care. With clear, simple information, ordinary people can work together to prevent and treat most common health problems in their own homes and communities, and to change the underlying conditions that lead to poor health.
For volunteer information, see http://www.hesperian.org/hesphelp.htm#volunteer
INFACT
INFACT is a national grassroots organization whose purpose is to stop life-threatening abuses by transnational corporations and increase their accountability to people around the world. Since 1966, INFACT has been educating the public about dangerous abuses of power by giant corporations and organizing millions of people to take action to change corporate behavior.
Click on “Join” from their homepage to find out how to get involved.
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