2025 Signature Events

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - Amplifying Latino Voices: Advocacy for Change

03:00pm - 04:00pm EST

Where: Zoom Webinar
Description: Join us for an empowering webinar designed to inspire and equip Latino advocates to take action and drive meaningful change in their communities.

Amplifying Latino Voices: Advocacy for Change brings together leaders at the forefront of immigration, education, and health policy to share their stories, strategies, and successes.

This dynamic event will explore how advocacy can strengthen partnerships, uplift Latino communities, and shape a better future for all. Participants will gain practical tools to elevate their voices, influence policy, and become agents of change at the local and national levels.

What to Expect:

• Insightful conversations with Latino leaders and changemakers
• Real-world examples of advocacy in action
• Tips and resources to effectively engage in policy change
• Opportunities to connect with a community of passionate advocates

Remarks by: 

• Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation 
• Anais Martinez, Community School Coordinator
• Juventino Meza, Environmental & Energy Policy Lawyer
• Milagros Grullón, Executive Director  

 Register here. 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 - Latinos at the Forefront: Protecting Our Lands, Water & Communities

03:00pm - 04:00pm EST

Where: Zoom Webinar
Description: Join us as the Conservation Team at Hispanic Access shares how they are moving conservation priorities forward within the context of a new administration while continuing to uplift Latino leaders in environmental work & the valuable contributions our community continues to build in the effort of protecting our natural resources.

This webinar will include updates on annual priorities within Hispanic Access' conservation programs, resource sharing, calls to action, and ways to engage with programming and advocacy efforts with our network members and general public.                                      

Remarks by: 

• Jessica Godinez, Latino Conservation Week Program Manager
• Sofia Barboza, Ocean Program Manager 
• Hilda Berganza, Climate Program Manager 
• Vanessa Muñoz, Waterways Program Manager 

Register here. 

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) have partnered to connect diverse college students with engineering internships. This program was designed to provide paid work opportunities to culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse Latino/a students at Reclamation sites in the US. Interns will receive mentoring, hands-on work experience, and gain a better understanding of Reclamation’s role in conserving water and power resources.

Project Goal & Objectives

HAF is recruiting and administering this internship program under the MANO Project. This program will cultivate an understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural resources, and help students gain valuable knowledge and professional skills to develop and maintain these resources. Reclamation interns will gain on-the-job experience and engage in projects that address some of the most critical conservation issues on Reclamation land. Interns will receive specialized training, mentoring and ongoing support effectively carry out their assignments. Interns will gain an understanding of the opportunities for careers at Reclamation and will build skills and experience required for success in these careers.

Hispanic Access is searching for highly motivated students who will work alongside Reclamation employees for the 11-week internship program. This is a paid internship; each intern will receive a weekly stipend, based on a 40-hour workweek, and a commuting stipend. Free housing will be provided.

2019 Hosting Sites

• Bureau of Reclamation Headquarters – Lakewood, CO Office - 3 positions available

   Each intern will work on one of the following different types of projects.  The projects include:

  1. Engineering design of Reclamation structures,
  2. Research to improve infrastructure durability or to improve efficiency of hydropower operations and thus maximize output power while reducing the water being used,
  3. Research on water quality, water resources planning, economics, environmental or ecosystems issues;
  4. Testing and diagnostic of electrical and mechanical equipment in hydropower or pumping facilities to ensure equipment is replaced before failure with environmentally friendly alternatives.

Application Deadline & Timeframe

Applications are due on March 8, 2019. Candidates will be asked to submit a resume with their application. Final decisions will be made by early April 2019. Start and end dates vary among positions, all 11-week internships will commence in early June. 

Benefits

• Travel expenses paid – roundtrip travel to and from internship location
• Free housing – group housing with other HAF interns
• Weekly stipend of $480 based on a 40-hour work-week
• Weekly commuting stipend

Basic Eligibility

• Enrolled in a university or college undergraduate or recent college graduate. Preference given to college juniors and seniors. Graduate students will be considered.
• Majoring in or completed degree in civil or mechanical engineering
• Ages 18 to 35
• Possess US citizenship or US permanent residency, must undergo a government background check if selected
• Valid Driver’s License required
• Ability to work with a team and independently
• Mature, responsible and adaptable
• Willingness to learn
• A personal vehicle is recommended for the Lakewood site, public transportation is available in the area but can be lengthy

Selection criteria

Specific assignments will be based on best fit with the unique requirements of each site. Final candidates will undergo a background check before beginning their assignment. Applications will be reviewed and rated according to the following criteria:

• Relevant educational and work experience
• Accomplishments and leadership roles
• Oral and written communication skills, through application responses and phone interviews
• Professionalism and technical knowledge