John D. Solomon Fellowship, One Queens Grant: 2 opportunities open to FilAms
The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is a student fellowship devoted specifically to emergency management. The program provides nine graduate students in the New York City area with the opportunity to complete a nine-month, paid fellowship in an agency of New York City government or a nonprofit organization.
Sponsored by the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the program was established by the family and friends of the late John D. Solomon, an accomplished journalist on homeland security and a devoted public servant. An active member of his local NYC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), John was a passionate advocate of emergency preparedness and resilience, and originated “In Case of Emergency, Read Blog — A Citizen’s Eye View of Preparedness.” In recognition of his many contributions, OEM created the John D. Solomon CERT Award for Exemplary Service in Emergency Preparedness Education in 2011, and in 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established the national John D. Solomon Preparedness Award. Also in 2012, OEM initiated the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service, and had its first graduating class of five fellows.
Who’s Eligible: Students who will be entering their first or second year in fall 2014 and who are specializing in the following fields:
• Public Health
• Public Safety
• Communications
• Journalism
• Emergency Management
• Social Work
• Community Organizing
• Law
• Engineering
• Education
• Business
• Nonprofit Management
Selection Criteria: Fellows work on projects that involve collaboration with individuals from their own agencies, other city agencies, and various community organizations. In addition to superior academic achievement and relevant prior work experience, the selection process will consider the following:
• Proficiency using major social media platforms, especially for marketing and communications
• First-hand knowledge of New York City’s neighborhoods and community-based organizations
• Experience writing for diverse audiences
• A team-oriented approach and collaboration skill set
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• A commitment to New York City and public service
• Ability to speak at least one foreign language (not required but desirable)
Please note that New York City residency is not required for this fellowship. Students enrolled at universities within the New York City metropolitan area, including Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut, may apply for this fellowship.
Please visit the application website to apply. In addition, resumes must be emailed to JDSolomonFellowship@oem.nyc.gov.
Applications and resumes must be received by 11:59 PM EST on Monday, April 7.
Queens Fellowship launches One Queens Grant
The Queens Fellowship announced the launch of its 2014 One Queens Grant Request for Proposal (RFP).
The 2014 One Queens Grant awards grants of up to $1,000 to support Queens-based organizations that will empower youth in the areas of employment, community building service projects, or health, thereby seeking to address these needs in the community.
The Queens Fellowship is a 10-month professional development and networking program for non-profit, religious, government, and community leaders serving Queens. It is dedicated to advancing Queens’ diverse leaders and empowering them to become change agents to strengthen the borough. Ultimately, the fellowship enables participants to come together to become better-equipped leaders and collaborate on solving problems in Queens.
Last year’s cohort raised approximately $3,000, part of which was used to finance a mural project in Rego Park. “The One Queens grant enhanced the Rego Park Green Alliance’s work by helping us re-open a garden of 3,000 square feet closed to a community for over five years,” said Yvonne Shortt, executive director of the Rego Park Green Alliance and a participant in this year’s fellowship.
All eligible applicants must be Queens-based nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status or organizations fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status. Eligible applicants must have an annual operating budget of less than or approximately $250,000. Applications for the 2014 One Queens Grant can be accessed online at www.onequeens.org/grant/ and must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 25th, 2014.