Law Student/Social Work Student Externship Opportunity
HOLSTEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM-SUMMER 2016
Holsten Human Capital Development, NFP (HHCD) is a nonprofit, charitable organization with the
mission to strengthen at risk populations by expanding their access to viable resources that promote selfsufficiency, wellness and stability through comprehensive service provision, developing low income and
affordable housing, and fostering economic development.
HHCD cultivates partnerships that empower families to take active roles in rebuilding both their lives
and their communities for improved quality of life. By addressing day-to-day needs and assisting
families in achieving their goals, HHCD encourages our clients to realize their dreams and become
participants in their community. We believe that not only obtaining but maintaining stable, quality
housing is the start of a solid foundation on which families can pursue a better quality of life.
Holsten Human Capital Development, NFP (HHCD) began as a division of Holsten Real Estate
Development Corporation. Since its inception in 1975, Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation
has developed more than 5,000 units of affordable, market rate, mixed-income, and mixed-use housing
and several commercial developments throughout the city making it one of Chicago's foremost
development companies.
Working in a number of diverse communities, Holsten employs a collaborative model of securing
community input, improving commercial and retail spaces, providing employment and advocating for
community revitalization. In 1999, Holsten added Holsten Human Capital Development to support this
philosophy. HHCD assisted 80 CHA residents to make the transition to private housing at North Town
Village, one of the first developments to integrate public housing with moderate and market rental, as
well as, market for-sale units. Since then, HHCD has played an integral part of Holsten's success in
developing and sustaining successful mixed income projects.
Since its inception, Holsten Human Capital Development has guided over 600 eligible CHA residents
through the screening and selection process for new housing. HHCD has, provided various supportive
services and empowerment activities prior to move in and assistance with stabilization services after
move-in. Realizing that there is more to creating healthy communities than just placing a family in a
new unit, HHCD networks with area providers to build collaborative partnerships. Such networking has
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allowed us to expand services through leveraged resources including employment training and
placement services, health and wellness screenings, financial awareness education, youth development
programs and a host of informational and educational workshops to build an individual's personal
knowledge base and skills.
Proposed by Trustee Jackie Taylor Holsten, Class of 1999, the Holsten Scholars Program (“Program”) is
designed to provide “real world” work experiences for graduate and undergraduate students in the law and
social work disciplines. By educating, encouraging, and supporting these students, the goal is to prepare
them for senior leadership roles in these sectors and beyond. Additionally, the Program will provide
networking, and mentoring opportunities to the selected students.
Students will be assigned work that will include but not be limited to the following: contract review,
attendance and participation in negotiations, research and litigation preparation, case management and
program development.
Each extern will also be assigned to a professional from their respective field who are actively involved in
their particular industry. Mentors will provide hands-on experience with the students by providing
shadowing opportunities, attending professional events, and participation in other industry activities.
Qualifications and Requirements
Candidates must work well as part of a project team, pay close attention to detail and accuracy, and
exhibit self-motivation and problem solving skills. Prior work experience, volunteer activities will be
considered along with Candidates must have strong oral and written communication skills, strong
research skills.
All candidates are needed for a minimum of 8-12 hours per week and must be in a minimum of a block
of four (4) hours, and must be committed to the Program.
Required Documents
Students interested in this placement must provide Ms. Lacey A. Williams via email a letter of interest,
résumé, unofficial transcript and a recommendation from a dean or faculty member of the law school or
school of social work as may be applicable. Materials must be submitted to Ms. Williams on or before
February 26, 2016. Contact information for Ms. Williams is listed below.
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General Information-Summer 2016 Semester
This opportunity is available to law students each semester. Law students interested
in this opportunity must enroll in the externship course in order to receive academic
credit. The internal law school application deadline for the summer semester is
April 15, 2016. All applications must be submitted to Professor Josie M. Gough in
room 1331 on or before that date in order to register for the course.
Contact Information:
Lacey A. Williams
Laceywilliams@holstenchicago.com
1034 W. Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
312/274-9131 direct | 312/337-1952 fax
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