Amplifying Voices of Marginalized Communities – 2026

Overview

During their two months in DukeEngage Miami, students will work with nonprofit organizations that provide services to the multi-ethnic Miami-­Dade area, a county with a 54 percent foreign-­born population. The nonprofits that students work with address critical social issues, including immigration and refugee legal status, family law, housing instability, and cultural expression. The Miami site was selected for its rich diversity of immigrant communities and dynamic identity: a U.S. metropolis often called “the capital of Latin America,” one of the largest Spanish-speaking cities in the country, and a long-standing hub for Cuban-American and Haitian-American migration. Today, Miami stands as a global city shaped by diverse waves of immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also a place of stark socioeconomic contrasts, vibrant politics, thriving arts and culture, and a growing network of Duke alumni. Over the course of the summer, students will broaden their perspectives on diversity, legal and public policy issues, language, and culture.  They will improve interpersonal skills, develop civic responsibility through active community involvement, and become comfortable working with cultures other than their own.

Community Partnerships

Each summer the work changes depending on the needs of the organizations and the language abilities of the students. Students who are able to speak Spanish,  Haitian Creole, or French generally gain more direct access to clients, but English speakers are also able to contribute with other skills. In 2026, DukeEngage students may work with the following organizations, though partnerships might be modified according to the needs of the organization:*

• Catholic Charities Legal Services (3-4 students): Catholic Legal Services is a nonprofit organization committed to providing professional legal services to low-income individuals seeking immigration assistance. Duke students support attorneys working on asylum and immigration cases by completing USCIS forms, conducting client intakes, organizing supporting evidence, and drafting country condition reports to strengthen legal arguments. They assist with legal case preparation by transcribing interviews, drafting court reports, and conducting case-specific research. They also provide interpretation during client interviews at the asylum office and translate legal documents and affidavits. Spanish and Haitian Creole speaking preferred.
• Dade County Legal Aid (1-2 students): Dade Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income, vulnerable populations in Miami-Dade County. Students support attorneys primarily in the Guardianship and Dependency departments, assisting with cases involving adults with disabilities and foster children, respectively. Duke students observe dependency court proceedings both virtually and in person, participate in Put Something Back (Dade Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Project) legal clinics by conducting client intakes, and translating client interviews and application materials for attorneys. They also assist in the referral and placement of cases and regularly correspond with low-income families navigating legal challenges related to social services, housing, and guardianship. Spanish proficiency is preferred.
• Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. (2-4 students): Legal Services of Greater Miami is a nonprofit law firm that works to remove legal barriers to economic stability and ensure equity for low-income residents. Duke students assist attorneys on housing and tenants’ rights issues through tasks such as client intake interviews, responding to intake calls, and helping attorneys provide eviction-related advice and guidance to clients. Additional responsibilities include drafting legal motions based on templates and reviewing case files. Students regularly interact with Spanish-speaking and Haitian Creole-speaking clients and individuals served on a pro bono basis. While most work is done in the office, some remote or field work may also be requested. The placement offers valuable exposure to office culture, client interaction, and navigating professional legal settings.

Program Requirements

Language: Second language proficiency is very beneficial though not required. Preference will be given to students with intermediate to advanced Spanish, Haitian Creole, or French.

Coursework: Preference will be given to students who have taken courses related to immigration, Latino/a or Latin American & Caribbean Studies, languages mentioned above, cultural competency, public policy, law, human rights, social justice, or political science.

Skills: Depending on the placement, social media skills, experience with low-­income and/or immigrant communities, and previous civic engagement work are desirable.

Personal Qualities:

• Teamwork: Since students will be working with many people they have never met before, it’s important they know how to cooperate with others to get the work done (team effort).
• Patience: This is the key for people to adapt to a different climate as well as a different work environment, especially in an area where people may speak Spanish more than English.
• Communication skills: The capacity to work things out with others respectfully.
• Responsibility: Be responsible to get the task assigned to you well done. Be on time and a full participant in all scheduled events.
• Motivation: Students should be ready to take initiative, going above and beyond the tasks assigned to them.

Logistics

Housing, meals, and transportation: Students will be housed at the University of Miami campus.  Students will receive a stipend for their meals and will either prepare their own food or dine on campus. As far as transportation is concerned, students will carpool to and from their workplaces via Uber or public transportation (a 35-45 minute train ride).

Local safety, security, and cultural norms: If you have special needs related to health, culture, disability, or religious practices, we encourage you to contact the program director(s) or the DukeEngage office to discuss whether your needs can be accommodated in this program.

For guidance on how race, religion, sexual/gender identity, ability, or other aspects of identity might impact your travels, we suggest exploring the Diversity, Identity and Global Travel section of the DukeEngage website.

Academic Connections

This program is open to all, and might especially appeal to students taking language courses such as Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French as well most classes in the field of Humanities.

Students who participate in this program might go on to pursue courses, certificates, research projects, etc. in the Department of Romance Studies, the Humanities, and in Law. However, students will be well prepared through this program to undertake any career that prioritizes the needs of people over profits.