OPAF NEWS FLASH - OPAF LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

OPAF NEWS FLASH - OPAF LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Tamara Bibby

12/11/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2002

Contact: Tamara Bibby
(202) 223-2878

OPAF LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Washington, DC - The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund has
established an internship program for creative and team-minded students
in the Washington, DC metropolitan area who wish to help shape the
future of a dynamic nonprofit organization.

Students chosen to participate in this program should meet specific
requirements outlined in the position announcements now available
through the OPAF web site at:

www.opfund.org/programs/internship.htm

In addition, the students should be able to commit at least 100 hours
total to OPAF during the course of an academic semester, so that OPAF
can offer an endorsement for a President's Student Service Award, a
White House initiative which recognizes young Americans with awards for
outstanding community service, while encouraging more young people to
serve. This program seeks to identify and actively engage our next
generation of Service Leaders. More information about this program is
available here: www.student-service-awards.org/

Currently, OPAF seeks to fill two internship positions.

1. OPAF MLK Project Internship. The student in this internship will
assist in development of a Martin Luther King, Jr.-related educational
initiative for diverse groups of young people who are undergoing
physical rehabilitation at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) in
Washington, DC. Connected to OPAF's grant from the Corporation for
National and Community Service, the project will involve creation and
implementation of 25 four-hour, direct-service educational activities
that will run, at least initially, from January 20, 2003 through June
2003. The activities will involve group readings, craft making and craft
exchanges among the children, and creation of a learning resource center
in the hospital, all of which will engage the subjects of peace,
diversity, tolerance, and human rights as reflected in the words of Dr.
King. Through creation of a unique learning environment with the
hospital setting, OPAF will help to bring to HSC's young patients social
interaction and degrees of learning and personal achievement that they
might not otherwise encounter during the course of rehabilitation.
Complete application details are available in PDF format at:
<URL Redacted>.
Complete information about the MLK project itself is available at:
www.opfund.org/announcements/index.html#35

2. OPAF Program Internship. The student in this internship will assist
in overall development of OPAF programs and partnerships. Complete
application details are available in PDF format at:
www.opfund.org/images/OPAF%20Program%20Internship.pdf

To learn more about the OPAF Internship Program and related volunteer
opportunities, please contact Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program Coordinator by
email or by phone (202) 223-2878.

Established in 1995, OPAF is nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(3) public
charity and the official philanthropy of the U.S. orthotics and
prosthetics community. Dedicated initially to providing financial and
in-kind support to the 1996 Paralympics, OPAF now generates its own
initiatives through partnerships with individuals, organizations, and
institutions engaged in raising public awareness of disability and
improving the quality of rehabilitation medicine, science, and
technology.

The primary objective of OPAF is to enable individuals with physical
disabilities-especially those served by members of the orthotics and
prosthetics community-to enjoy the rewards of personal achievement,
physical fitness, and social interaction.

For more information about OPAF, please visit www.opfund.org.

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