Don't sell yourself short and say that museums aren't going to hire you
because you're not (in your own words) "in the target population for hiring
initiatives in museums."  There's opportunity for many hard-working folks
to work in museums in the USA.  Yes, there are initiatives to hire and
retain people of color, but women, regardless of nationality are also
sought after. Remember, this discussion centers around groups of people
who have been excluded historically.  I do differ with your comments
that "teenage mothers, people transitioning out of welfare,
displaced homemakers..." wouldn't make good candidates for internships.
They would.  If you were a displaced homemaker who knew how to budget, how
to manage a family and were offered an internship at a museum, how would
that make you feel?  I can't help to think that this experience would
transform not only this homemaker but her family and friends if she had a
postive experience.  And aren't we talking outreach here, trying to make
museums feel like part of the family.  I'm sure that kind of atmosphere
exists at the Silver City Museum.  Imagine the possibilities of people
reaching out to other people they never imagined and connecting in ways
they never thought they could.

Miguel