Community Action Policy Fellows Program

Overview of Fellowship Program 

Generously funded by the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute (“The Institute”) is excited to launch the Community Action Policy Fellows program. Do you have 5-7 hours a week to devote to growing your skills as an advocate and transforming Indiana for the better? We invite you to apply!

The fellowship is a part-time, flexible 10-month paid work experience (from June 2024 to March 2025) that will allow two community members to engage with Institute staff and build momentum on YOUR policy idea(s) by developing advocacy, research and outreach skills that will serve you in strengthening your ideas and your community.  

Our Program Aims To:

  • Support work on important community issues you care about, related to basic needs or environmental justice

  • Learning skills for future jobs or career opportunities 

  • Gain hands-on experience in creating and running a policy change campaign 

  • Receive mentorship on the policy formation and change process 

  • Learn how to do research and storytelling using different methods and tools 

We also provide financial assistance for those who might find it hard to join because of things like childcare or transportation costs.

Timeline 

  • Fellowship runs from June 2024 to March 2025

  • Here is our current timeline for the program:

    • May 12th, 2024 @ 11:59 pm: Application Deadline  

    • May 13th - May 18th: Interviews 

    • Week of May 20th, 2024: Selected Community Action Policy Fellows Notified  

    • Start of June 2024: Institute Community Action Policy Fellows Program Starts  

    • December 2024: Fellows Present their Work at the End of the Year Celebration  

    • January-March 2025: Fellows Engagement at the Indiana Statehouse  

    • End of March 2025: End of Fellowship Celebration 

 

Current Fellows:  

 

Sarah Harlow 

Policy Fellow

[email protected]               

My current focus is on cities centering around quality of life, housing rate increases/ crisis, and environmental conservation. 

Roshawn Neal 

Policy Fellow
[email protected]               

I grew up on the Southside of Chicago, raised by my wonderful parents, Pauline and Robert Neal, who were married for 51 years. I excelled in school in the areas of science, math, art, and technology. I currently hold a Bachelor's of Science earned at DeVry University and also attended Chicago State University and The Art Institute of Chicago.

I am a wife and mother to five sons, whom I love and adore deeply. In 2002, I was unfortunately diagnosed with Lupus, and by 2011, I was rendered disabled and unable to work. In 2006, I gave birth to my son Seth, who also has disabilities. Navigating life with these challenges, I found that the disabled, minorities, underprivileged, children and women had the least heard voices affecting their everyday lives—from home life to medical to educational fields. This has always sparked a desire in me to become the voice for the unheard, to advocate, relate, and educate people from diverse backgrounds.

I absolutely enjoy learning and discovering new technologies, laws, policies, life hacks, and innovations. I am passionate about helping others and am always delighted and proud to see others’ commitment to their communities through outreach, unity, and diversity.