Sarah Houston

Experience

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  American Psychological Association

  Apr 2009 - Aug 2009

  Public Interest Intern

  • Conducted legal research to support lobbyists' work surrounding eating disorder and illegal immigration legislation • Drafted material and assisted publishing article concerning legislation pertaining to gay and lesbian adoption rights

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  The Black and White

  Aug 2009 - Jun 2010

  Ombudsman

  During my junior and senior year I was Arts and Culture writer and then chosen as Ombudsman of the Black and White. I focused on culture opinion pieces including exposes on companies such as American Apparel. During these two years I learned invaluable skills such as journalistic writing and editing. I have always had a passion for news and reporting, and the Black and White introduced me to how a real newspaper functioned and operated.

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  DC Public Schools Central Office

  May 2011 - Jul 2011

  UELIP

  Planned and implemented teacher conference for over 200 teachers.Co-Managed and created action committee for STEM initiative.Performed computer science data analysis.Worked with curriculum writers to rebrand standards.

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  US Congress

  May 2011 - Aug 2011

  Congressional Intern

  Wrote legislative summaries and conducted data analysis on items such as African Aid, Safety Laws, and Women’s Rights.Attended hearings and informed Legislative Assistants.

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  Safe Kids International

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Public Policy Intern

  • Successfully spearheaded the Safe Kids Hollywood Project, working with Hollywood writers and producers to write a series of guidelines that dictate and change the way images of child safety are portrayed in popular media outlets • Acted as liaison between headquarters and partner schools in South Africa for the Safe Kids Africa Project while working closely with the President to prepare multiple presentations and pamphlets for partners and the media

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  Tri Delta Sorority

  Dec 2012 - Dec 2013

  Philanthropy Chair and Academic Award Recipient

  Raised over $10, 000 for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. After attending Tri Deltas NationalPhilanthropic Conference at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, spear headed two new philanthropy events, Delta Dodgeball and Tri-Hop, on Pepperdine's campus.

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  2929 Productions

  Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

  Script and Production Intern

  • Organized, read, and analyzed scripts for possible use • Researched and acted as liaison between financiers, production associates, and actors

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  The White Rainbow Project

  Feb 2013 - Aug 2013

  Development Intern

  • Acted as manager in Vrindavan, training over 30 widows and revamping small business model and fundraising efforts• Created new finance system and introduced product proto-types boosting monthly budget and number of employees • Spear-headed pilot program to teach community members about business and provide local children a safe haven

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  Pepperdine University Office of Gifts

  Feb 2013 - May 2013

  Executive Administrative Assistant

  Acted as administrative assistant to entire office, handled and organized confidential donor material, updated new donor database, edited and held important correspondence between donors and office, scheduled meetings and events.

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  Pepperdine's Student Government Association

  May 2013 - May 2014

  Executive Vice President

  • Served as Founder and President of Pepperdine’s first Women’s Initiative, introducing new programming and “Women Making Waves” campaign to the wider community• Successfully advocated for over $35,000 to improve student facilities and educational departments on campus, improving the lives of over 3,000 students• Conducted quantitative and qualitative research projects to support senator’s student-driven initiatives, specifically the inaugural week-long LGBT convocation series attended by over 500 students (now a yearly event) Show less

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  The Turkish Fulbright Commission

  Aug 2014 - Sept 2015

  Educational Teaching Assistant

  • Taught English speaking, listening, and grammar classes to over 200 University students at Balikesir University• Worked with local Syrian and Iranian refugees to facilitate the visa process, preparing them for lives in the US• Created and implemented new portfolio system and interactive cross-cultural curriculum adopted by the Director• Founded weekly current events speaking club and community action group for over 50 students

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  David Trone for Congress

  Jan 2016 - May 2016

  Political Director

  • Acted as head of all political strategy and speaking engagements, overseeing fifteen staffers and data analysts• Planned and coordinated all meet and greet events, working with 50 different hosts and organizations to implement targeted voter contact and grassroots recruitment plan in conjunction with Field Operations Manager • Developed an overarching political outreach plan using VAN and Blue State Digital to establish a diverse network of community, labor, and cultural organizations while solidifying endorsements and key constituency networks Show less

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  Turkish Heritage Organization

  May 2016 - now

  Coordinator

  • Write and Publish original papers, policy briefs, and reports covering US-Turkish relations, focusing on economy • Plan Think Tank Roundtable events for Middle East and foreign policy scholars in DC on a bi-monthly basis• Coordinate all outreach to members of Congress, local Universities, public policy practitioners, and organizations• Spearheading a refugee education and video project, with long term goal of bringing Syrian refugees to DC Universities

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  International Refugee Assistance Project

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Legal Intern
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  University of Virginia School of Law Arthur J. Morris Library

  Sept 2018 - May 2020

  Student Researcher
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  Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

  May 2019 - Aug 2019

  Summer Associate
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  Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

  Oct 2020 - Mar 2023

  Associate
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  Immigrant Defenders Law Center

  Mar 2023 - now

  Managing Attorney for the Community Defense Project (CDP).CDP works to keep communities thriving through collaborative advocacy efforts that result in county and/or city-funded affirmative and removal defense legal services in areas with a large immigrant population. It was formed with support from the VERA Institute of Justice’s SAFE (Safety & Fairness for Everyone) Cities Initiative, local government, and philanthropic foundations. We are proud to make an impact in local communities thanks to our partnership with the County & City of Los Angeles, the City of Santa Ana, and the City of Long Beach. Show less

  • Managing Attorney

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Staff Attorney

    Mar 2023 - Jan 2025