Labor Profile: Paola Encarnacion, DC JWJ Intern
Tuesday, July 27, 2010(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
“Determination is my key to success,” declares D.C. Jobs with
Justice intern Paola Encarnacion (below), “everyone tells me I am going to be
just like (Supreme Court nominee) Sonia Sotomayor and make history.” The
Dominican Republic native -- who’s lived in Washington for the past two years
-- graduated this past year from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School where she
actively participated after school in the District’s Department of Employment
Services inter-school program. Through the D.O.E.S inter-school program,
Encarnacion worked with many local non-profits, including the Latin American
Youth Center, D.C. Access Language Coalition, and the Empower Youth Network, as
well as connecting Encarnacion with her current internship with D.C. Jobs with
Justice. “This summer, I have been assisting DC Jobs with Justice in
organizing area day laborers,” says Encarnacion. “I have also been helping
victims of wage theft and am generating turnout for local demonstrations and
events.” This Fall, Encarnacion will attend Ohio Northern University where she
plans on majoring in English, with a minor in Spanish. “I really enjoy helping
people,” adds Encarnacion. – report/photo by Boaz Young-El,
AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern