Summer Education Intern

Intern with Asian Americans United this summer! You must complete our external application (linked below) to apply. 

Since 1985, Asian Americans United (AAU) has been working with young people in the Philadelphia area to develop their leadership skills and make positive changes in the communities. As stated in our mission statement: AAU exists so that people of Asian ancestry in greater Philadelphia exercise leadership to build our communities and unite to challenge oppression. Our social justice works include grassroots community organizing, advocacy and youth leadership development, with an emphasis on low income, immigrant, and former refugee communities.

AAU SUMMER PROGRAM:
The AAU Summer Program is a combined youth leadership program and a summer enrichment program for about 50 rising 1st through 5th grade children (“campers”). By training high school students (“Youth Leaders”) to be teachers and mentors to children in their community, we simultaneously: 

• serve an unmet community need for affordable summer enrichment programs;
• provide positive role models for children;
• enhance children’s learning with a multicultural literacy-based interactive curriculum, project-based learning, and caring tutors and mentors;
• create an intergenerational opportunity for youth to make real world contributions to their communities.

The AAU Summer Program is designed to develop the leadership potential, cultural identities, and social justice consciousness of all program participants, so that they can make a positive difference and effect necessary change in their communities.

THE INTERNSHIP:

The AAU Summer Program is seeking 2–3 undergraduate interns who will work as Community Action Project (CAP) Interns, as well as assistant camp directors and mentors to the High School Youth Leaders and the summer school campers. The CAP Intern position is a full-time position. 

For Summer 2025, we will be exploring what futures our communities deserve. We want our main curriculum to focus on people-centered neighborhoods that are built to thrive rather than just survive. A better world is possible and as a community we can work towards it. How do we center solidarity and belonging in our everyday life? How do we protect the interests of low income, immigrant, and/or Limited English Proficient folks?  Ideally, our college interns can develop a CAP curriculum that supports this focus.

CAP INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement the day-to-day functioning of the program as part of the Leadership Team
  • Participate in all staff training
  • Assist in daily service site operations
  • Assist with administrative responsibilities as needed
  • Support daily program debrief at the close of each day
  • Participate as a team member in the set up, clean up, meal distribution, event planning, and other tasks required for smooth running of the summer program
• Provide a mentorship role to high school team members
  • Create a positive school experience for high school team members, children and parents by being prepared, enthusiastic, and caring
  • Supervise and delegate tasks to high school team members
• Develop and teach CAP curriculum with the support of high school youth.
  • CAP is a 1 hour block that students from each grade level attend twice a week. CAP lessons serve as a chance for students to engage in a hands-on learning opportunity that can connect and positively impact the community.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Applicants should be upbeat, energetic team players who have strong leadership potential, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn and supervise children and teenagers. Good communication and problem-solving are required. Must be committed to working for social change, activism, and community building.

RECOMMENDED SKILLS

• Familiarity with issues facing Asian American communities or other low-income communities in Philadelphia is strongly recommended.
• Bilingual ability in an Asian language is beneficial but not required.
• Interest and/or experience in youth education, working with K-12 aged youth is beneficial but not required.
• Interest and/or experience in urban gardening, urban planning, community organizing, and/or education justice is beneficial but not required.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Review is Rolling, so we encourage you to apply early. 
• Application Deadline: Sunday, Feb 23rd, at 11:59pm EST (applications may be accepted after this date, but we will finalize hiring by the end of March)
• Start Date: May 19, 2025
• End Date: Aug 7, 2025

COMPENSATION: This internship is paid. Students are encouraged to apply for summer stipends, grants, or through work study and campus resources if available. If no external funding is available, then financial accommodations will be possible through AAU funding.