D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. to Succeed
D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. to Succeed is dedicated to empowering and enriching the lives of young people and families. The organization’s programming offers mentorship, leadership training, and personal development workshops to instill confidence and resilience in “at-promise” youth.
The Fellow will join the summer program team and help design programming, mentor youth, and develop support systems that foster personal growth. The goal is to ensure a positive and impactful experience for the young people and their families participating in the summer program.
Read the organization’s placement proposal
Learn more: destined2succeed.org
Dwight/Edgewood Project (D/EP)
Dwight/Edgewood Project is a community outreach program created in 1995 at David Geffen School of Drama (DGSD)/Yale Repertory Theatre. Modeled after NYC’s acclaimed 52nd Street Project, D/EP pairs children in grades 5-8 from Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School with DGSD students. Over an intensive four weeks, students learn how to write a play, while experiencing emotional growth and empowerment through the arts. The youth, identified by the school’s educators, are interested in storytelling (but not necessarily theater) and can sustain the rigor of the program. The children are mentored by DGSD students through the entire creative process, beginning with a blank page and culminating in a performance of their original 10-minute plays, produced and performed by their mentors. Additionally, D/EP offers participating DGSD students an opportunity to hone their teaching skills while providing a valuable way to connect with their neighboring community.
The Fellow will serve as the lead historian for D/EP’s 30th anniversary, working to uncover and digitize program records and photos; capture footage from Summer 2025 programming; and create a physical and virtual display of D/EP’s history over the years. Additionally, the Fellow will provide critical support for the program’s leadership teams, including participating in weekly leadership meetings, supporting with classroom management, and assisting in closing out D/EP’s fiscal year.
Read the organization’s placement proposal
Learn more: yalerep.org/productions-programs/youth-programs
Friends Center for Children
Friends Center for Children is an early childhood education center providing year-round, full-time care for children in New Haven ages 3 months to 5 years. The Center advances racial equity in New Haven by offering high-quality care to families that do not and would not otherwise have access. This access is achieved through the Center’s Sliding Scale Tuition Program. The program seeks to bridge the racial, ethnic, and economic divide, and also aims to create a community of families actively involved in the education of their children.
Read the organization’s placement proposal
Learn more: friendscenterforchildren.org
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS)
Since 1982, IRIS has helped refugees and immigrants establish new lives, regain hope, and contribute to the vitality of their communities. With a combination of wrap-around services and direct support, IRIS gives refugees and immigrants the tools they need to become economically self-sufficient, well-integrated members of society. In recent years, IRIS has also begun to assist non-refugee immigrants, including asylum seekers, humanitarian parolees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, DACA recipients, and undocumented immigrants. IRIS also leads the way in community sponsorship, in which community groups collaborate to settle refugee families, with guidance from IRIS staff.
The Fellow will assist with the Summer Learning Program, a seven-week program of enrichment and academic support for recently-arrived K-12 refugee and immigrant students. The Fellow will help with outreach, recruitment and registration of students as well as with the planning and implementation of the program itself, booking venues for field trips, assisting in scheduling and setting up, organizing data, and classroom help.
Read the organization’splacement proposal
Learn more: irisct.org
Leadership Education & Athletics in Partnership (LEAP)
LEAP is a New Haven-based organization that empowers young people to become leaders and agents of change within their communities. Operating in six high-poverty neighborhoods, LEAP manages two historic community centers and seven school-based sites, providing enriching out-of-school experiences for children and transformative employment opportunities for youth. Since 1992, LEAP has impacted over 30,000 children and 5,000 youth counselors, many of whom now play vital roles in the city and within LEAP itself. As New Haven’s largest youth employer, with an annual budget of $7.3 million, LEAP provides local high school and college students with training to develop leadership skills and become mentors. These young people guide children aged 7-12 through a culturally affirming literacy curriculum and a variety of enriching activities, including swimming, camping, and African drumming.
There are five placements available at this site:
Communications and Systems Specialist
This essential role will enhance internal and external communication strategies while managing and optimizing communication systems. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in communications, technical systems, and project management, with a proven ability to deliver effective solutions that improve organizational workflows and engagement.
Read the Communications and Systems Specialist proposal
Curriculum and Training Fellow
The Fellow will assist with training and supporting over 200 high school- and college-aged counselors and full-time staff to ensure that LEAP’s programs are high quality and effectively implemented.
Read the Curriculum and Training Fellow proposal
Development Fellow
Are you a great writer who want to put it to use for the good of others? Are you looking for a summer internship where you can learn how to write grants, a skill that is in demand for any organization? Are you able to create a compelling story, pulling together quantitative and qualitative data? Are you a strong researcher, able to dig deep to find opportunities for LEAP kids? Do you have great ideas we haven’t even thought of? If so, then this is the perfect placement for you!
Read the Development Fellow proposal
Finance Department Fellow
The Finance Department Fellow is responsible for supporting the Finance Department in overseeing the onboarding and payment of up to 200 part-time staff. The position also includes other finance-related tasks as needed.
Read the Finance Department Fellow proposal
Marketing and Communications Fellow
Are you looking for a summer internship where you can hone your skills in marketing, communications, social media management, public relations, and events management? Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects, where no two days are the same? Can you identify a good story and write it to pitch it to the press or attract an audience on social media? Do you have great ideas we haven’t even thought of? If so, then this is the perfect internship for you!
Read the Marketing and Communications Fellow proposal
Learn more: leapforkids.org
New Haven Promise
New Haven Promise (NHP) is a scholarship and support program that promotes college completion for New Haven public school students; builds parent, community and business engagement to assist students to and through higher education; and enhances the growth and stability of the City of New Haven through an educated, skilled and volunteer minded workforce. 90% of Promise Scholars are Students of Color; 71% are from households that earn under $60k and 38% from households under $30k; 70% are first-generation to college. NHP serves approximately 850 college students each year and has an alumni network of 1,400+.
The Fellow will deepen the professional development of New Haven Promise Scholars who have been placed in internships at Yale University and throughout the New Haven area by spearheading and building upon the Pecha Kucha program (an innovative and engaging model for public speaking) and assisting with the execution of the weekly Lunch and Learn workshops. The Fellow will also conduct a skills and experience inventory survey for incoming first year students and local employers.
Learn more: newhavenpromise.org
Saint Martin de Porres Academy
Saint Martin de Porres Academy (SMPA) is a faith-based, tuition-free middle school serving underserved children from low-income families in the New Haven area. Committed to the belief in the dignity and worth of every person, SMPA provides a holistic education that fosters academic excellence, personal responsibility, social skills, and spiritual growth. By offering an extended school day and welcoming children of all faiths, races, and cultures, SMPA strives to break the cycle of poverty through education and opportunity, empowering each student to reach their full potential and become a leader committed to serving others.
The Fellow will contribute to the organization’s social media presence by developing on-brand strategies that effectively communicate its story and support its priorities. This will involve identifying, creating, and posting engaging social media content, as well as developing and scheduling evergreen content to maintain a consistent online presence.
Read the organization’s placement proposal
Learn more: saintmartinacademy.org
Solar Youth
Solar Youth empowers Black and Brown youth from New Haven’s systematically marginalized neighborhoods to achieve lifelong success, and nothing less. Its mission is to provide opportunities for young people to develop a positive sense of self, connection and commitment to community, and respect and appreciation for their natural environment. From season to season, Solar Youth curates and conducts immersive programs for youth ages 4-18. These programs incorporate core elements of environmental exploration, non-violent communication, youth leadership and youth-led problem solving. Solar Youth’s vision is a New Haven and beyond in which youth are problem-solvers and the next generation of socially conscious leaders who advocate for our communities.
The Fellow will conduct seamless processes for outreach and enrollment before and during Solar Youth’s 2025 Summer Camp. As Program Administrative Associate, the Fellow will recruit families and youth through various methods of communication, maintain highly organized records of all enrollment documents and medical forms, and resolve any difficulties families experience when submitting their documents.
Read the organization’s placement proposal
Learn more: solaryouth.org