1. Eastern University
Soc 495 Sociology Internship
Mid-semester Report for Jennifer Pilong
Agency: Volunteers of America Delaware Valley
Agency Supervisor: Kate Cruz
Total Hours: 98
Goals:
• Establish an internal, agency wide policy and advocacy agenda
• Support and strengthen the Give.Voice. advocacy project by creating advocacy
opportunities for staff and clients
• Monitor and respond to law and policy pertinent to Volunteers of America DV
• Educate legislators about issues of concern
Progress:
Policy Agenda- Jennie has done an incredible job of quickly acclimating to the agency in
order to understand the policy priorities. She has done a good amount of research about
issues pertaining to housing, behavioral health, re-entry, veterans, food insecurity mental
health and addiction services and how each of these issues and policies impacts the work
of VOA. The draft agenda was received well by the agency Chief of Staff. Jennie
responded quickly to any suggested edits and the next step is meeting with Chief
Operating Officers to ensure all the important information is included. Once the agenda is
approved, it will be posted to our website and Jennie will be actively involved in the
design process as well as upkeep.
Give.Voice.- Give.Voice. is our internal advocacy arm which empowers clients and staff
to becoming actively engaged in advocacy efforts. It is a pilot program that we intend to
grow and expand. Jennie has met with one key staff leader to discuss the Pebble Project,
an initiative to reduce and end gun violence in Camden, NJ. Jennie was able to tour our
women’s correctional/residential facility and interact with staff and clients who will
eventually participate in the Give.Voice. project. Jennie was welcoming and affirming of
the clients and the staff in the program and asked thoughtful questions about the culture
of crime and violence as well as the impact on the community. She inspired a very
interesting conversation about the impact of incarceration on children especially as more
and more women find themselves incarcerated. She has shown a very impressive
sociological imagination. We are scheduled to meet with another key staff member to
discuss the Intellectual Disabilities Advocacy project and will meet with client advocates
to craft a grant application for the program.
Monitor & Respond to Law and Policy-
Jennie researched the proposed NJ and PA FY15 Budgets and drafted advocacy alerts for
NJ and PA residents (clients and staff) around our concerns for the proposed budgets. She
worked hard to identify critical funding issues and drafted wonderful policy bulletins and
advocacy alerts which were sent to over 400+ individuals. She will continue to monitor
important issues and draft advocacy alerts when necessary. She has also been

2. instrumental in monitoring bail reform legislation in NJ and crafted legislative testimony
in response.
Educate Legislators- Jennie has researched several elected officials in preparation of
meetings. She had the foresight to look for key votes, committee memberships and
relationships to our issues. She has shown a very good understanding of how to approach
political advocacy and relationship building. She has also called over 15 legislative
offices to discuss concerns with proposed legislation. This is not an easy or comfortable
task and she took it on with confidence!
She has also accomplished the following:
• Researched and written grant proposals to expand advocacy efforts
• Participated in Development and Communications weekly staff meetings to learn
more about how the department functions and works to support the organization
• Met with City Council staff to discuss potential new development of social
services
• Attended the Camden Community Development Association meeting to learn
more about the issues facing the development and growth of Camden
• Identified various advocacy opportunities for the upcoming months
Jennie is an incredibly fast learner; she is a natural fit for this work. She has the ability to
ask thoughtful and appropriate questions, seek out research and compile information for
diverse audiences. Her understanding of society and the influence of culture, policy, and
service is a critical skill that serves her well. She meets each challenge head on and
delivers fast, quality results. Thus far she has contributed a great amount to the Policy
Department and has been an absolute joy to work with. I look forward to all the work we
will accomplish in the next few months.