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My name is Carlota Macedo Leão, a third-year Honours Political Science student minoring in Anthropology. My primary interest lies in socially conscious policy, leading me to participate in various extracurricular activities to explore this passion. Notably, I was part of the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation, where I developed policies and presented them at the 68th Commission on the Status of Women. Engaging with knowledgeable women from NGOs worldwide at the Commission sparked my interest in non-profits. I began seeking internships in NGOs supporting refugee communities, an issue I’ve been passionate about since my high school internship at a law firm assisting asylum seekers. Discovering AGIR, the only NGO in Montreal addressing the intersection of refugee and immigrant realities with LGBTQAI+ identities, I immediately reached out. My learning objectives included understanding NGO operations, the challenges they face, and how they manage with limited funds. Additionally, I aimed to grasp the issues faced by LGBTQAI+ immigrants and refugees, a cause I hope to work for in the future.

AGIR Montréal’s mission is to support and defend the rights of LGBTQIA+ refugees and migrants in Montreal. Through community-building workshops, support groups, and individual support, the NGO helps participants overcome legal, economic, and social barriers while settling in the city. Offering services in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, the organization strives for accessibility. Furthermore, AGIR follows a philosophy of by- and for the community, meaning all support workers are part of the LGBTQAI+ immigrant and refugee community.

As a summer Intern, I received incredible support and trust from the AGIR team, allowing me to take initiative and participate in all aspects of the NGO’s work. I started by supporting the activities team, co-facilitating several activities, including a social activity where we heard from two speakers on their experience of genocide in their countries and then designed group banners for solidarity and resilience in times of genocide, as well as a legal workshop on rental rights in Quebec. I also independently designed and led a job interview workshop for the Spanish-speaking community. Fluent in five languages, I contributed significantly to the NGO’s linguistic accessibility by translating speeches, resources, forms, and documents in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was co-facilitating community support groups. These groups, separated by language, allowed participants to voice their concerns, discuss potential solutions, and connect with others in the community. Although I cannot elaborate on the specific themes due to confidentiality, this experience was incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, I created informative resources on rental rights and tax filing, which were distributed to participants and shared on social media. I also updated and compiled all the NGO’s support resources into a comprehensive document for participants, to be posted on AGIR Montréal’s website. On the organizational side, I researched Quebec’s new Law 25 and helped AGIR develop a plan to comply with the new privacy policy requirements. Lastly, I took on the role of show coordinator for the Cabaret AGIR artists’ show, ensuring smooth communication between sound technicians and artists backstage.

Overall, I participated in numerous aspects of the NGO’s work, making my internship an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience. My favorite part of the work was engaging directly with community members through support groups and workshops. However, the biggest challenge I faced was the emotional toll of hearing participants’ difficult life stories. It was challenging to not carry these emotions home, but with the support of my co-workers, I learned to build resilience and establish emotional boundaries.

The AGIR team was a significant highlight of my internship. My co-workers, each with unique professional and personal backgrounds, taught me so much. Throughout the internship, I felt supported and trusted by the team, who guided me while allowing me to take initiative and work independently. I couldn’t have asked for a better work environment!

In conclusion, I want to express my deep gratitude to Mr. J. Hodgson, son of the late Mr. Hodgson, and the Arts Internship Office for enabling me to pursue this internship in the NGO sector, which often lacks the funds to remunerate interns. I would not have been able to pursue this passion internship without their support, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.