Summer Internship Opportunities with GirlForward

GirlForward is a community of support dedicated to creating and enhancing opportunities for girls displaced by conflict and persecution. GirlForward programs focus on mentorship, education, and social support to female-identifying high school students who have come to the US through refugee resettlement. Learn more about our programs below:

The Education Program provides a space for girls to simultaneously build their English skills and succeed academically while exploring their identities and learning about the world around them. The Education Program has two components: Tutoring and Camp GirlForward. Over four weeks during the summer, Camp GirlForward utilizes a literacy-based curriculum that explores the themes of identity, community, and power through classroom instruction and field trips. Tutoring is a hybrid program offering a drop-in program where girls can work with tutors on homework at our GirlForward HQs (Chicago, IL) and in partner schools (Austin,TX). Additionally, some students engage virtually, with most seeking support with college level assignments. 

The Mentoring Program pairs girls with mentors to engage in "4W" activities (Wellness, Wisdom, Wallet, and World) to explore their passions and graduate high school. Girls are paired with female mentors within the local community for at least one school year, and they meet together for at least two hours weekly to talk about anything from school to relationships to careers. Mentors and mentees are friends, role models, teachers, and confidants for each other.

The Safe Spaces Program provides safe spaces for girls to explore their identities, connect with other girls, and access the necessary resources. This is primarily through our drop-in center, free-store, and workshops. (Chicago only)

GENERAL INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Desired qualifications include:

• Current college or graduate student.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• The ability to communicate in Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, or Burmese is a plus but optional.
• Must have a strong commitment to social justice and community engagement.
• Must believe in cultural humility and critically analyze their own identity, culture, power, and belief system in relation to the community. 
• Must believe in the power of girls to create positive change in their communities and the world.
• Additional qualifications for specific roles will be listed below.  

*All internship opportunities are unpaid*
 

EDUCATION INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring)

Education Interns support the academic tutoring program and develop curriculum for year-round programs. The Education Interns report to the Education Program Manager.  Specific responsibilities include: 

• Assisting staff with participant recruitment. 
• Assisting staff with volunteer management.
• Creating a curriculum for Camp GirlForward.
• Engaging the community through special events, workshops, and home visits.
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and evaluation.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Education Interns Interns will work at minimum 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary with tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

CAMP INTERNSHIP (Summer)

Teaching Interns serve as teaching assistants in the classroom. Camp interns report to either the Camp Teacher and/or the Manager of Education. Specific responsibilities include: 

•      Assisting the lead teacher with classroom management.
•      Assisting the lead teacher with curriculum development.
•      Working one-on-one with girls in the classroom.
•      Leading small groups of 7-10 girls in literature circles and activities.

Preferred qualifications specific to CAMP INTERNSHIP

• Studying education or having relevant experience in a classroom, priority will be given to teachers in training or those interested in education
• Preferred experience working with English language learners.
• Experience facilitating team-building activities.  

Camp interns will work 35 hours per week. Hours may vary but will most likely be M-F 9 AM-4 PM, from July 7th-August 1st. This internship is in-person only and does not have a virtual option. 

We are offering 5 internship opportunities in Chicago, IL, and are offering 5 internship opportunities in Austin, TX.

EDUCATION LOGISTICS INTERNSHIP (Spring/Summer)

Logistics Interns support the Education Program Manager as program assistants during tutoring and camp. Specific responsibilities include: 

• Assisting staff with participant recruitment. 
• Assisting staff with volunteer management.
• Assisting with program facilitation, as needed. 
• Completing administrative tasks such as data management, ordering food and supplies, and organizing the classroom.
• During camp, monitor participant attendance by capturing the entry and exit times of all attendees as well as following up with participants and/or guardian/parent to confirm tardiness or absences. 
• Assisting the lead teacher with curriculum development.
• Engaging the community through special events, presentations, and home visits.
• Assisting with planning and coordination of field trips and lunch donations
• Assisting the lead teacher with community service projects. 
• Assisting the lead teacher with classroom management.
• Assisting the lead teacher with team building activities.

Preferred qualifications specific to LOGISTICS INTERNSHIP

•      Experience navigating public transit and leading groups in cities. 
•      Experience facilitating team building activities.  

Logistics interns will work 30-35 hours per week during camp. Hours may vary but will most likely be M-F 9 AM-4 PM. 

We are offering 1 internship opportunity in Chicago, IL.

MENTORING INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

Mentoring interns support the dynamic relationship-building between mentors, mentees, and their families. Mentoring Interns report to the Mentoring Program Manager. 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Assisting staff with participant recruitment. 
• Assisting staff with volunteer management.
• Creating curriculum and program activities
• Engaging the community through special events, workshops, and home visits.
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and evaluation.

Preferred qualifications specific to MENTORING INTERNSHIP     

• Studying social work, social justice, and education. 
• Preferred experience managing volunteers or mentoring youth.
• Priority will be given to applicants completing field work or who require academic credit for a course of study.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Mentoring Interns Interns will work at minimum 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

(Summer Only ) Mentoring Interns will work a minimum of 16 hours in a week, but commitment times may vary related to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

SAFE SPACES INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, & Spring)

Safe Spaces interns facilitate programming at our Safe Space drop-in center, which includes a variety of workshops, drop-in tutoring, freestore, library, and ad-hoc programming. The Safe Space Intern reports to the Director of Programs. Specific responsibilities include:

• Assisting staff with volunteer management.
• Assisting staff with program design and evaluation.
• Engaging the community through special events, workshops, and home visits.
• Manage the freestore organization and collection of in-kind donations
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and evaluation.
   

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Safe Spaces Interns Interns will work at least 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.
 

COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

The Communications team promotes GirlForward’s mission, brand, and programs through our website, email, and social media, as well as donor communications. The Communications Intern will report to the Communications Manager.                               Specific responsibilities include:

• Implementing communication strategies.
• Researching social media and digital campaigns. 
• Curating and posting online content.
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and evaluation.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Communications Interns will work at minimum 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

(Summer Only) The Communications Intern will work a minimum of 16 hours in a week, but commitment times may vary related to tasks such as nights or weekends. This will be determined with staff and candidates. 

 We are offering 2 internships in Chicago, IL.

DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

The development team promotes GirlForward’s mission through fundraising, donor relationships, and special events. The Development interns report to the Director of Development and Communications.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Support donor cultivation and relationship building.
• Research fundraising initiatives.
• Support planning third-party fundraisers.
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and database management.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Development Interns Interns will work at minimum 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

(Summer Only) The Development Intern will work at least 16 hours a week, but commitment times may vary and be related to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

We are offering up to 2 internship opportunities in Chicago, IL.

PROGRAMS INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

GirlForward offers 3-core programs, Education, Mentoring, Safe Spaces, and ad-hoc programs when possible. This position works to fill gaps when needed and support the organization's overall program strategy. Program interns support the Director of Programs as a program assistant. Specific responsibilities include:

• Assist with outreach and recruitment for participants and partners.
• Assist in program design and development. 
• Assist in running GirlForward's Free Store and overall safe spaces initiative, including spacemaking, collecting in-kind items, and creating processes. 
• Completing administrative tasks such as data entry and evaluation.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Programs Interns will work at minimum 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.
 

(Summer Only) Program Interns will work at least 16 hours a week, but commitment times may vary and be related to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

We are offering 1 internship opportunity in Chicago, IL.

OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

Operations interns support the administrative components of the organization, including financial management, legal compliance, grant writing, and evaluation. Operations interns report directly to the Executive Director. Specific responsibilities include:

• Data entry and analysis of financial statements.
• Develop policies and procedures
• Strategic planning
• Supporting the Girl Advisory Board

Preferred qualifications specific to OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP

• Studying macro or administrative social work or nonprofit management at the masters level.
• Priority is given to social work students completing field work.

(Fall, Winter, Spring) Operations Interns will work at least 8 hours a week for at least one full semester but ideally for the entire school year. However, commitment times may vary in relation to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

(Summer Only) Operation Interns will work at least 16 hours a week, but commitment times may vary and be related to tasks such as nights or weekends. Hours and schedules will be determined with staff and candidates. We prefer to have interns in person but are willing to work with a candidate on a hybrid internship.

We are offering 1 internship opportunity in Chicago, IL.