Central Los Angeles : Latino Political Group Offers Internships

For the 10th year, the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a Boyle Heights nonprofit organization, is inviting Latino college students to apply for a summer legislative intern program.

The five-week internships are designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at how public policy is developed and implemented at the state and national levels.

“It is important that Latinos get involved at a young age and learn about the issues that will affect them,” said Araceli Ruano, 24, a former intern who was raised in Los Angeles and is now a policy advisor to Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore.

Fourteen students will be awarded $1,500 stipends and travel and housing expenses for an intensive week of study in Washington before starting a four-week internship in their home state in the office of a Latino elected official.

Applications for the program, sponsored by Shell Oil, are available by calling Rolando Tostado at (213) 262-8503, ext. 13. They should be sent to the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, 3409 Garnet St., Los Angeles, CA 90023 by March 1.