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An exploration of food in Detroit from the perspectives of immigrants and black Americans.

The workshop will be held May 31 – June 2

Reporters to focus on Detroit food stories under a fellowship for immigrant journalists and journalists of color.

The deadline to apply for this fellowship has passed.

Are you a journalist or media-maker from an immigrant background interested in covering food and related subjects in metro Detroit?

Do you want to develop your skills as a storyteller in a variety of formats including audio?

Do you have unique story ideas at the intersection of food, immigration and Detroit communities?

Feet in 2 Worlds, an award-winning website and journalism training project and WDET,  Detroit’s public radio station have teamed up to offer a limited number of food reporting fellowships to immigrant journalists and media-makers in metro Detroit. This is a unique opportunity to learn new skills while covering stories about critical issues in food including food culture in immigrant communities, child nutrition and education, labor and employment, anti-hunger efforts, sustainability, climate change and government food policies.

Fellows will work in the WDET newsroom and will be mentored by experienced audio producers. You will produce stories for Feet in 2 Worlds’ website and for broadcast on WDET and online distribution on WDET’s website.

Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis.  The fellowship starts in late September and continues to the end of 2018. This is a paid fellowship open to staff reporters and editors, and freelance journalists.  The fellowship is structured to allow maximum flexibility for journalists with full-time jobs or other obligations.

Fellows receive the following:

•      Training in all phases of audio production for broadcast and podcast.
•      Training in story development from concept to publication.
•      Exposure to the WDET newsroom, and the opportunity to contribute to WDET’s on air and online streams.
•      Training in the use of social media as a journalism tool.
•      Access to Feet in 2 Worlds’ international network of immigrant journalists.
•      Opportunities to pitch stories to nationally distributed public radio programs.
•      Use of field recording equipment and access to audio editing software at WDET.
•      A $3500 stipend.

To apply send a cover letter, your resume, samples of your work and three story ideas to contact@feetin2worlds.org.  Include the words “Detroit Food Fellowship” in the subject line of your email.

The deadline to apply is Monday, August 20th, 2018.

Support for the fellowship comes from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and through matching gifts from station donors, The International Association of Culinary Professionals’ foundation, The Culinary Trust, and its Growing Leaders Food Writing program. The Food Writing Program is funded with the support of the Boston Foundation.

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Managing Editor, Feet in 2 Worlds

We are looking for a dynamic and versatile multi-media journalist to join our team. Feet in 2 Worlds is a small but powerful organization focused on telling the stories of today’s immigrants, and helping journalists from immigrant backgrounds improve their skills and reach new audiences on public radio and the web. The managing editor is involved in a wide range of activities including planning, assigning and editing stories for our on-line magazine, supporting and mentoring journalists in the Fi2W fellowship program, overseeing our social media streams, planning live events and workshops, and working with our media partners in public radio, print and online journalism.

Founded in 2004, Feet in 2 Worlds offers fellowships and workshops to both established and emerging immigrant journalists, and produces stories and podcasts. Areas of special interest include: telling immigrant food stories, politics from the perspective of immigrant voters, arts and culture in immigrant communities, and the connection between migration and climate change.

Feet in 2 Worlds is based at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School in New York City.

The managing editor is a part-time position (20 hours per week). We are hiring initially for a period of three to four months, with the potential for on-going employment. The managing editor may work remotely or at The Center for New York City Affairs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include

• Contribute ideas for all aspects of the project in all its forms: reported stories, social media content, workshops and live events.
• Work with and provide support to journalists from a range of backgrounds and a range of journalism experience to produce content for Fi2W and our media partners.
• Edit stories in a variety of formats (text, audio, multi-media and video) for content, clarity, style and accuracy.
• Work with our media partners on the development of reporting projects and to expand the audience for stories produced by Fi2W.
• Develop original content for Fi2W.org, the Fi2W podcast, and social media.
• Administrative tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• At least five years’ experience in a fast-paced, idea-driven media environment.
• Demonstrated engagement with issues of importance to immigrant communities.
• Superb writing skills showing originality and creativity – experience writing for broadcast strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with audio recording, microphones and recorders, and audio editing in Audition and/or ProTools.
• Production experience with multimedia (image and/or video) preferred.
• Experience working with freelancers in an editorial capacity preferred.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with a range of social media platforms and awareness of new platforms.
• Creative problem-solving in editing stories and interviews.
• Familiarity with content management systems (basic knowledge of HTML preferred).
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.
• Proficiency in multiple languages preferred.
• Effective time-management and ability to produce excellent work on deadline.
• Ability to collaborate closely with others and thrive in a team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

To apply please send a cover letter, your resume and samples of your work to Contact@feetin2worlds.org. Include the words “Fi2W Managing Editor” in the subject line of your email.

A conversation with an emerging voice in food journalism.

Photo courtesy of Angelica Padilla de Arce

Leer en español

Hurricane Maria left Angelica Padilla de Arce, a 20-year-old Puerto Rican student, without classes, without a job, and with big economic problems.

Padilla was in her third year at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus, on the west coast of the island. In November 2017, Padilla opted for a new way to face her economic situation: enlisting in the United States Armed Forces.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Why did you decide that that was your best option?

Without a bachelor’s degree finding a job with a good salary is hard, and even more so with Puerto Rico’s economic situation. The situation at the university gets harder every day. As registration fees and other services increase, the money soon will not be enough. I’m also seeing my brother, who has a bachelor’s degree, not be able to find a job that’s more than 15 hours a week, so I decided to look for another alternative. My uncle is in the Armed Forces, my grandfather is a veteran, and my mother was enlisted in the Army for a time, and they talked to me about the benefits. I decided it was the best thing to do.

Is it a good source of income?

The military has good benefits and it’s a good source of income. It offers a 20-year career.  If I enlist now when I’m 20, I can retire when I’m 40. Whereas, in a civilian job, the retirement plan is thirty to forty years long. This is assuming I find a job quickly after I graduate. There’s also the situation with the university — whether or not it will remain open remains unknown, which creates an environment of uncertainty and unnecessary stress in my life.

When did you make the decision to leave Puerto Rico?

Several weeks after Hurricane Maria I went with my brother to a conference about the military test [ASVAB Test]. My brother had already decided to enlist before the hurricane and when I saw Puerto Rico’s situation I decided to enlist as well. At the moment, my university is on alert for a possible strike. That, plus falling behind because of the hurricane, made me decide to look for a better future.

What will happen to your family after you leave?

My family supports me unconditionally in everything I do, at least I’ve been lucky in that regard. If it is something that I really want, my mother will support me. She also knows the sad situation that Puerto Rico is in, which is why she always encourages me to keep looking for a better future.

Without Hurricane Maria would you have enlisted in the military?

I probably would have stayed one more year in Puerto Rico. But living with the situation of the university I am sure that I would have made the same decision of enlisting in the military. Personally, I don’t have family in the United States with whom I could have gone to for a season while I look for a job there, so the military would have been my plan B if the situation with the university got bad.

Aren’t you scared of dying or receiving a bullet wound?

I would be lying if I said that the remote idea of dying or getting shot doesn’t scare me. Everyone fears being wounded and even more so if it is something serious, like a bullet wound. But it is a risk I am willing to take when the time to move forward for me and my family comes.

What would you like to do in the Army?

In the beginning I wanted a job that had to do with communications or technology, however, this changed at the time of taking the ASVAB test, which allows me to know which job I can choose. My recruiter gave me a list of jobs which I can apply for, and among them is paramedic, or 68W, as they call it. I have always liked helping other people, so this is a job I see myself doing. There’s also the additional benefit that I come out with a degree and can work as a paramedic in my civilian life.

What is your opinion of war?

For me, war is more about loss than gain. There are situations that can be resolved by having a dialogue like civilized people without the need to lose millions of soldiers’ and innocents’ lives. If political leaders want a war, let them enter a ring and may the best one win.  

Dejar la Isla (y universidad) para irse al ejército

El huracán María dejó a Angélica Padilla de Arce, estudiante puertorriqueña de 20 años, sin clases, sin trabajo, y con grandes problemas económicos.

Padilla cursa su tercer año universitario en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, en el campus de la ciudad de Mayagüez, municipio ubicado en la costa oeste de la Isla. Pero en noviembre del año pasado, Padilla optó por un nuevo camino para enfrentar su nueva situación económica: ingresar a las Fuerzas Armadas de Estados Unidos.

Esta conversación ha sido editada por claridad y extensión.

¿Por qué decidiste que esa era tu mejor opción?

Sin un bachillerato, conseguir un trabajo con buen salario es difícil, y más con la situación económica de Puerto Rico. La situación en la universidad se pone cada vez peor. Al subir la matrícula y otros servicios, el dinero pronto no va a dar. Además, al ver que mi hermano con un bachillerato no consigue un trabajo de más de 15 horas semanales, decidí buscar otra alternativa. Mi tío pertenece a las Fuerzas Armadas, mi abuelo es veterano y mi madre estuvo un tiempo [en el ejército], y ellos me hablaron de los beneficios. Decidí que era lo mejor.

¿Es una buena fuente de ingresos?

El ejército tiene buenos beneficios y es una buena fuente de ingresos. Ofrece una carrera de veinte años; si entro ahora a los veinte años, ya a los cuarenta años puedo retirarme.  Mientras que en un trabajo como civil, el plan de retiro es de treinta a cuarenta años. Esto asumiendo que consiga un trabajo rápido después de graduarme. Además, está también la situación de la universidad, la cual en estos momentos no se sabe si va a continuar abierta, lo cual crea un ambiente de incertidumbre y estrés innecesarios en mi vida.

¿Cuándo fue que tomaste la decisión de irte de Puerto Rico?

Luego de varias semanas de María fui con mi hermano a una charla de los repasos del ejército.  Mi hermano ya tenía decidido irse al ejército antes del huracán y cuando yo vi la situación de Puerto Rico decidí irme también.  En estos momentos, mi universidad está en alerta de huelga, más el retraso a causa del huracán, me hicieron decidir ir a buscar un mejor futuro.

¿Qué pasará con tu familia luego de que te vayas?

Mi familia me apoya en todo incondicionalmente, al menos he tenido esa suerte.  Mi madre me apoya, si es lo que en realidad quiero, y ella también sabe la situación penosa en la que se encuentra Puerto Rico, por lo que me exhorta siempre a seguir buscando un mejor futuro.

Sin el huracán María, ¿hubieras pensado en unirte a la milicia?

Lo más seguro, hubiese estado un año más en Puerto Rico. Pero al vivir la situación antes mencionada con la universidad estoy segura de que habría tomado la misma decisión de irme al ejército.  Personalmente, no tengo familia en Estados Unidos con los que pudiera irme una temporada en lo que busco trabajo allá, por lo que el ejército hubiese sido mi plan B si la situación de la universidad se viese mal.

¿No te da miedo morir o recibir una herida de bala?

Mentiría si dijera que la idea remota de morir o que me disparen no me da miedo. Todo el mundo le aterra ser herido y más si es de gravedad, como una herida de bala. Pero, es un riesgo que estoy dispuesta a tomar a la hora de salir hacia adelante por mi y mi familia.

¿Qué te gustaría hacer dentro de la armada?

Al principio quise hacer un trabajo que tuviese que ver con comunicaciones o tecnología, sin embargo, esto ha cambiado al tomar el examen de ASVAB el cual me permite saber qué trabajo puedo tomar. Mi reclutador me dio una lista trabajos a las cuales puedo aplicar y entre ellos está paramédico o “68w”, como ellos le llaman. Siempre me ha gustado ayudar a las personas así que es un trabajo donde me veo involucrada, además con el beneficio que salgo con un grado y puedo trabajar como paramédico en mi vida civil.

¿Qué opinas de las guerras?

Para mí las guerras son más pérdidas que ganancias. Hay situaciones que dialogando como personas civilizadas pueden resolverse sin la necesidad de la pérdida de millones de soldados y vidas inocentes. Si los líderes políticos quieren guerra, que ellos entren a un ring y que gane el mejor.

This story was written by Thalia Mercado.

The story is part of a collaboration between Feet in 2 Worlds and the journalism program at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Translated from the original Spanish by John Pink.

Fi2W is supported by the David and Katherine Moore Family Foundation, the Ralph E. Odgen Foundation, the J.M. Kaplan Fund, an anonymous donor and readers like you.

Photo courtesy of Aidamarys Torres Pardo

Leer en español

After Hurricane Maria, Aidamarys Torres Pardo, a 20-year-old Puerto Rican student, had to move to Hatfield, Pennsylvania in order to save her daughter’s life. Torres suffers from Homocystinuria, a genetic disease that disrupts the body’s metabolism and has multiple ramifications that can worsen with pregnancy.

Since she was three years old, Torres has had more than seven risky operations to help this condition which affects the organs in her body. Her doctors told her that the condition lowers the chances of being able to have a child. But despite the bad diagnosis, Torres and her partner Jonathan were able to have their first daughter, Janaiah, who was born in good health. Thanks to the medical care she was able to receive in Pennsylvania, her condition is now stable.  She was interviewed from her home in Pennsylvania.

How did your life change after Hurricane Maria swept through?

Hurricane Maria complicated everything. On the one hand, I had only seen the gynecologist once and the laboratories were not open due to the lack of electricity. I had to get lab tests so I could take the results to the doctor’s office on my next appointment, which was September 25, 2017. I was visiting the gynecologist’s office week after week and couldn’t get anything. I was getting desperate.

My house is also in a flood-prone area and we didn’t have a generator so I had to protect myself from the mosquitos, due to the high incidence of Zika.

Obviously, I got really sad when I couldn’t see my baby with the sonogram due to the lack of power.  I only listened to the heartbeat. And that was how I started becoming more and more convinced about traveling.

The hurricane brought me closer together with my family, with my partner. Family nights were for playing Bingo with pennies, and I would say that I matured and I really learned to appreciate time with my family.

How was your family affected by you leaving?

My family, especially my mom who I lived with, was sad.  But they understood that I would have all the necessary care here [in the United States] for my health and the baby’s. I was 17 weeks [pregnant] when I came and I had only seen the gynecologist at eight weeks and 5 days [into the pregnancy].

Who has been your guide through this process and why?

My guide, who takes me to my appointments and took me to get help, is Jonathan’s brother’s wife, with whom we lived with for two months when we got here from Puerto Rico.

What did it mean for you to give birth?

My life now has meaning. I am a happy person. She is a miracle because I was told I couldn’t have babies due to my condition, Homocystinuria.

Now that you had the baby, what will happen to your academic future?

I was able to make arrangements with four of the six professors and I was able to finish four classes online. My plan is not to quit studying. I did not register this (past) semester because my pregnancy was categorized as high risk and I had two to three appointments a week. Additionally, I was due to give birth in March and I wasn’t going to be prepared for finals. I do have plans to continue in August, online if possible.

Will you go back to the island when you ensure that your health and the baby’s are safe?

We have everything here in Pennsylvania, after only two months of having moved here we were able to move out of Jonathan’s brother’s place. We have our own apartment and our humble little things.  Jonathan has a good job with a good salary, something that didn’t happen in Puerto Rico.  Here he makes in a week what in Puerto Rico he would earn in two. For the moment, and for a while, we plan to stay here.

De Puerto Rico a Pensilvania: La travesía de una madre embarazada para salvar a su bebé

Desde que Aidamarys Torres Pardo, puertorriqueña de 20 años, viajó a Hatfield, Pensilvania, para salvar a su hija después del huracán María, su vida cambió. Torres padece de homocistinuria, una enfermedad genética que trastorna el metabolismo y tiene múltiples síntomas que pueden verse agravados con el embarazo.

Torres ha tenido que someterse a más de siete operaciones riesgosas en el transcurso de su vida y la enfermedad ha afectado órganos de su cuerpo desde que tenía tres años. Sus médicos le dijeron que la enfermedad minimiza la probabilidad de tener un hijos, pero a pesar de los malos diagnóstico, Torres y su pareja Jonathan, pudieron tener a su primera hija, fue Janaiah, que nació saludable. Gracias a los medicamentos que le recetaron en Pensilvania, ahora su condición es estable. Torres fue entrevistada desde su casa en Pensilvania. 

Photo courtesy of Aidamarys Torres Pardo

¿Cómo cambió tu vida tras el paso del huracán María?

El huracán María lo complicó todo. Por un lado, solo había visto al ginecólogo una sola vez y los laboratorios no estaban abiertos por falta de electricidad. Tenía que hacerme unos análisis para llevar a la oficina del médico la próxima cita, que era el 25 de septiembre de 2017. Estuve visitando la oficina del ginecólogo semanas corridas y no conseguía nada. Ya estaba entrando en desesperación.

Por otro lado, mi casa es en zona inundable y no teníamos una planta eléctrica así que tenía que cuidarme mucho de los mosquitos por la alta incidencia de Zika.

Obviamente me puse triste por no poder ver la bebé en el sonograma por falta de luz, solo escuché los latidos. Y fue así como poco a poco me fui convenciendo de viajar.

El huracán me unió mucho a mi familia, a mi pareja. Las noches en familia eran para jugar bingo con chavitos, y yo diría que adquirí más madurez y realmente aprendí a valorar el tiempo en familia.

¿Cómo se vio afectada tu familia por tu partida?

Mi familia, especialmente mi mamá con quien vivía se entristeció, pero entendieron que por mi salud y la del bebé acá  [en Estados Unidos] iba a tener las atenciones necesarias. Yo tenía 17 semanas cuando me vine y solo había podido ver al ginecólogo a las ocho semanas y cinco días.

¿Quién ha sido tu guía en este proceso y por qué?

Mi guía, la que me lleva a las citas y me llevó a conseguir las ayudas, es la esposa del hermano de Jonathan con quien vivimos cuando llegamos de Puerto Rico por dos meses.

¿Qué significó para ti haber dado a luz?

Mi vida ahora tiene sentido. Soy una persona feliz. Ella es un milagro ya que por mi condición de Homocystinuria me habían dicho que quizás no podía tener bebés.

Ahora que tuviste a tu bebé, ¿qué pasará con tu futuro académico?

Logré hacer arreglos con cuatro de seis profesores y pude terminar cuatro clases en línea. Mi plan no es dejar de estudiar. Este semestre no me matriculé porque mi embarazo estaba catalogado como alto riesgo y tenía dos y tres citas por semana. Además de que daba a luz ahora en marzo y no iba a estar preparada para finales. Sí tengo pensado continuar ahora en agosto, en línea de ser posible.

¿Regresarás a la Isla cuando te asegures que tu salud y la de tu bebé estarán a salvo?

Acá en Pensilvania lo tenemos todo, ya a los dos meses de estar acá pudimos independizarnos del hermano de Jonathan. Tenemos nuestro apartamento y, humildemente, nuestras cositas. Jonathan tiene un buen trabajo con un buen sueldo, algo que en Puerto Rico no pasaba — aquí cobra en una semana lo que allá cobraba en dos semanas. Por el momento, y por un buen tiempito, tenemos planes de quedarnos acá.

This story was written by Imalay Cruz.

The story is part of a collaboration between Feet in 2 Worlds and the journalism program at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Translated from the original Spanish by John Pink.

Fi2W is supported by the David and Katherine Moore Family Foundation, the Ralph E. Odgen Foundation, the J.M. Kaplan Fund, an anonymous donor and readers like you.