Internships
World Relief interns have the opportunity to gain professional casework skills, build meaningful relationships, and learn about local and global refugee issues, both through direct-service to refugees and ongoing trainings and debriefing sessions.
Our alumni have pursued careers in a variety of fields, including international development, education, local government, and refugee resettlement. Many participants leave the internship feeling empowered to apply the skills they have acquired, such as cross-cultural communication and trauma-informed care, to advocate for their new neighbors and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Paid Internships
2024 Resiliency Programs Internship
Equity & Sustainability Summer Intern
A 3-month paid Internship
Download Internship Description
Internship Details
World Relief Western Washington (WRWW) envisions every refugee and immigrant welcomed
by community, rooted in community, and empowered for community. Our Resiliency Programs
seek to support the inherent resiliency of refugees and immigrants and alleviate vulnerable
conditions by building bridges to resources, spaces, and healthy communities.
Internship Summary
The Equity & Sustainability Internship Program offers paid internship positions, in which
cohorts learn about sustainable community development and become advocates for inclusive
and resilient communities. Within our community garden and commercial teaching kitchen
programs, interns focus on environmental and outdoor education, sustainable community
garden management, or local food environments and nutrition equity. Interns complete hands-
on tasks, develop and implement programs, and plan events throughout the summer to
support the Resiliency Programs, while also developing communication skills and
professionalism through workshops. Finally, interns explore the many academic and career
fields intersecting this internship through scheduled field trips – true highlights of the summer
Internship Goals and Responsibilities
- Learn about the organizational mission of World Relief Western Washington by
engaging with the services offered to the immigrant and refugee community - Actively participate in all weekly meetings, workshops, and field trips led by World Relief
Western Washington’s staff and organizational partners - Complete physical tasks related to the maintenance and improvement of program
spaces - Develop educational curriculum, lead programming, and coordinate logistics and
outreach for various summer events and programs - Become an expert and communicate learning in one of the following focus areas:
environmental and outdoor education, sustainable community garden management, or
local food environments and nutrition equity - Become ambassadors for healthy, resilient communities through engagement with local
stakeholders - Maintain a growth mindset, actively develop professional skills, network with
professionals, and learn about different career pathways and opportunities
Is This You?
Applicant Requirements
- Interested in community development, nutrition equity, stormwater management,
sustainable gardening practices, environmental conservation and/or outdoor education
for diverse populations - Adaptable, maintains a growth mindset, engages positively in a variety of work contexts,
capable of completing physical, outdoor tasks, and eager to be a part of positive change
in the community - Able to work 15-20 hours Monday through Friday from mid-June to mid-August, with 20-
30 hours of independent pre-work and virtual training 6 weeks prior - Live locally in King County
- Entering Junior or Senior year of High School OR Freshman or Sophomore year of
college - A lived refugee experience or immigrant background is strongly preferred, although
anyone is welcome to apply
We Invite You to Apply!
Interested in the Equity and Sustainability Summer Internship?
We are now accepting applications! Use the link below to submit your interest by
March 31th. Application review and interviews will be finalized by May 1st.
If you would like further information about the internship or have any
questions about the application process, please email Jerusha English
(JEnglish@wr.org) or call the World Relief office (253) 277-1121.
Role & Responsibilities
-
- Assist Case Workers with transporting refugee clients to important appointments.
- Help newly arrived families with tasks such as paying bills, applying for employment, or getting a state ID.
- Assist with ESL classes.
- Practice English with refugees and help them adjust to American culture.
- Help refugees and other immigrants navigate relevant social systems including but not limited to: grocery shopping, using public transportation, balancing a checkbook, creating a bank account, etc.
- Work with staff to advocate for clients and connect them to community resources such as child care, libraries, or employment opportunities
- Fostering Mutually Transformative Relationships with refugee families
- Taking part in an intern project designed to enhance our programs' effectiveness
- Other related tasks may be assigned depending on organizational needs and each intern’s interests
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
-
- Full-time availability
- Christian Faith
- Willingness to learn -Flexibility/Adaptability
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn while embracing diverse opportunities and needs that may arise.
- Proficiency in English; knowledge of secondary languages is beneficial but not mandatory.
- A valid US driver's license
- Commitment to 9 months toward gaining valuable experience and contributing to our mission.
Requirements
-
- Must complete a Criminal Background Check, and Motor Vehicle Record check (if driving).
- Genuine passion for serving refugees and other immigrants.
- Commitment to Christian values and principles.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team.
- Willingness to engage in reflective practices and personal growth opportunities.
- Openness to learning and exploring new perspectives.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
- Current driver’s license highly preferred.
- Access to a vehicle is helpful.
- Cross-cultural experience and/or a desire to learn more about cultural humility.
- Ability to participate in the Vision & Call Conference.
Unpaid Internships
Purpose
The purpose of the World Relief Detention Center Post-Release Internship is to prepare interns for cross-cultural services through immersion in immigrant and refugee fieldwork. The Detention Center Post-Release team serves asylum seekers and others released from immigration detention by providing case management services that empower the individual to accomplish their determined next steps and goals.
Possible Responsibilities
- Welcome newly released immigrants as they leave the ICE Processing Center/Detention Center in Tacoma on Fridays
- Data input and collection
- Assist client in accessing public benefits such as SNAP.
- Assist client in applying for documents such as State ID.
- Work with staff to advocate for clients and connect them to community resources such as libraries or employment opportunities.
- Provide transportation to various appointments as appropriate.
- Deliver gift-in-kind items such as clothing, backpacks and hygiene items to clients. Communicate consistently with Internship Coordinator, Detention Center Post-Release team and other staff about client’s needs and issues relating to their integration.
- Other related tasks as needed
Requirements
- Flexibility!
- Ability and desire to work with people from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds
- Current driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Desire to serve refugees and the vision of World Relief Seattle, “every refugee and immigrant welcomed by community, rooted in community and empowered by community” and the mission of World Relief; “empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable”
- Bilingual in Spanish or Tigrinya speaker preferred
Other Aspects of Internship
- 6-8 weekly evening meetings (usually Monday nights 6pm-8:30pm) with World Relief staff for training
- Readings and videos on forced migration, diversity, equity & inclusion, cross-cultural work, and a theology of hospitality
- Reflective journal entries.
Timeframe:
Internships generally begin in January, April, June or September. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. At least one full day of availability each week is required.
Purpose
The purpose of the World Relief Internship is to prepare interns for cross-cultural service by immersing them in the field of refugee resettlement, service and non-profit administration. ESL interns partner with adult refugee and immigrant students to build their confidence and skills in English communication so they can thrive in their new American context.
Potential Responsibilities
- Assist ESL Instructors with facilitating activities in weekly English classes in-person or on Zoom
- Serve as an ESL tutor for 5-10 adult students at various levels, meeting virtually or in-person with each of them each week to review the lessons from their class for that week, talk about questions that they have from the lessons, practice conversation, and check in relationally
- Assist ESL Instructors with creating materials
- Assist ESL Team to track student attendance & other data
- Assist ESL Team with administering standardized tests for students
- Check in on students who are new in the classes to make sure they understand how to complete lessons
- Attend weekly ESL Team meeting
- Participate in other ESL-specific trainings and meetings with ESL Team as desired & available
- Other related tasks or observation opportunities may be assigned depending on World Relief’s needs and each intern’s interests
Requirements
- Flexibility!
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to take initiative
- Ability and desire to work with people from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds
- Patience, perseverance, and a willingness to risk discomfort for the sake of building meaningful relationships
- Desire to serve refugees and the mission of World Relief (“Empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable.”)
- Previous ESL experience not required
Other Aspects of Internship
- 6-8 weekly evening meetings (usually Monday nights 6:00-8:00) with World Relief staff for training
- Readings and videos on forced migration, diversity, equity & inclusion, cross-cultural work, and a theology of hospitality
- Reflective journal entries
Timeframe:
Internships generally begin in January, April, June or September. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. At least two half days of availability each week are required.
Purpose
The purpose of the World Relief Internship is to prepare interns for cross-cultural service by immersing them in the field of refugee resettlement. The Health & Wellness team serves recently arrived refugee and asylee individuals in long-term case management programs to overcome barriers to successful integration.
Possible responsibilities
- Assist Case Workers with attending and transporting refugee clients to important appointments.
- Help recently arrived families access appropriate services such as paying bills, getting a state ID, securing public benefits and necessary documentation, and receiving medical care.
- Teach essential life skills to refugee families, including: shopping, using public transportation, balancing a checkbook, etc.
- Practice English with refugees and help them adjust to American culture.
- Maintain regular communication with cases assigned from caseworkers.
- Communicate consistently with supervisor and casework staff about refugee needs and issues relating to their integration.
- Work with staff to advocate for clients and connect them to community resources such as child care, libraries, or employment opportunities.
- Participate in weekly team meetings as available
- Other related tasks may be assigned depending on organizational needs and each intern’s interests.
Requirements
- Flexibility!
- Ability and desire to work with people from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds.
- Current driver’s license highly preferred. Access to a vehicle is helpful.
- Desire to serve refugees and the mission of World Relief (“Empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable.”)
Other aspects of internship
- 6-8 weekly evening meetings (usually Monday nights 6pm-8:30pm) with World Relief staff for training
- Readings and videos on forced migration, diversity, equity & inclusion, cross-cultural work, and a theology of hospitality
- Reflective journal entries.
Timeframe
Internships generally begin in January, April, June or September. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. Service longer than 3 months is preferred but not required. At least one full day of availability each week is required.
Summary
The Legal Intern will play a critical role in World Relief Seattle’s growing Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team. The Legal Intern will be both on the front lines and behind the scenes of the ILS team’s work representing immigrant clients.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate in-person and telephone intake of new and existing clients
- Answer and screen incoming phone calls for the ILS department and direct accordingly
- Schedule client appointments and administer reminder phone calls
- Sort outgoing/incoming mail for ILS team
- Assemble and archive client case files
- Collect payment from clients and issue receipts
- Assist with prompt filing and data entry of all correspondence from the government and communicate relevant information to clients and ILS team members
- Assist ILS team members with other tasks as needed
Qualifications
- A desire to serve immigrants and refugees in support of the mission and vision of World Relief
- Highly detail oriented, very organized, and able to follow projects through to their completion
- Excellent inter-personal communication and enthusiasm for working as part of a team
- Experience in customer service is highly valued
- Flexibility and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced work environment
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and effectively in cross-cultural settings
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required; familiarity with Outlook preferred
- Proficiency in Spanish highly preferred
- Good oral and written English communication skills
Project opportunities
- Prepare naturalization clients for citizenship interview
- Implement new case file organization
- Lead outreach to immigrant community to share about legal services
Optional parts of the internship
- Shadow DOJ-accredited reps in appointments with clients
- Participate in weekly team mtgs
Purpose
The purpose of the World Relief Internship is to prepare interns for cross-cultural service by immersing them in the field of refugee resettlement.
Possible Responsibilities
- Assist Case Workers with attending and transporting refugee clients to important appointments.
- Help newly arrived families with tasks such as paying bills, applying for employment, or getting a state ID.
- Assist with ESL classes as needed.
- Teach essential life skills to refugee families, including: shopping, using public transportation, setting up a bank account, e.g.
- Practice English with refugees and help them adjust to American culture.
- Communicate consistently with Internship Coordinator and casework staff about refugee needs and issues relating to their resettlement.
- Work with staff to advocate for clients and connect them to community resources such as child care, libraries, or employment opportunities.
- Other related tasks may be assigned depending on organizational needs and each intern’s interests
Requirements
- Flexibility!
- Ability and desire to work with people from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds
- Current driver’s license highly preferred. Access to a vehicle is helpful.
- Desire to serve refugees and the mission of World Relief (“Empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable.”)
Other Aspects of Internship
- 6-8 weekly evening meetings (usually Monday nights 6pm-8:30pm) with World Relief staff for training.
- Readings and videos on forced migration, diversity, equity & inclusion, cross-cultural work, and the theology of hospitality.
- Reflective journal entries
Timeframe:
Internships generally begin in January, April, June or September. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. At least one full day of availability each week is required.
Purpose
The Social Media Intern Intern will play a critical role in World Relief Western Washington’s growing Development Team. The Social Media Intern will be both on the front lines and behind the scenes of the development team’s work representing the organization as a whole.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the design and execution of social media content
- Create weekly and monthly social media content calendars to align with the Communications Strategy
- Create and publish content such as blogs, infographics, videos, and press releases on social media and digital outlets
- Track social media and digital engagement to identify performance and campaigns for scalability
- Support communications coordinator at live events
- Perform social media and digital marketing research
- Respond to online inquiries and DMs on platforms
- Brainstorm and research ideas for original content
- Create compelling graphics across digital platforms and channels
- Help create and edit social media videos, captions, and other content
- Develop new strategies for increasing engagement
- Ensure brand identity and awareness remain consistent
Qualifications
- A desire to serve immigrants and refugees in support of the mission and vision of World Relief
- Highly detail-oriented, very organized, and able to follow projects through to their completion
- Excellent interpersonal communication and enthusiasm for working as part of a team
- Experience in social media and graphic design
- Flexibility and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced work environment
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and effectively in cross-cultural settings
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required; familiarity with Outlook preferred
- Good oral and written English communication skills
Project opportunities
- Event-related promotional materials
- End-of-year giving initiative
- Local events and campaigns
Timeframe:
Internships generally begin in January, April, June or September. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. At least one full day of availability each week is required.
Purpose
The purpose of the World Relief Internship is to prepare interns for cross-cultural service by immersing them in the field of refugee resettlement and services.
Possible Responsibilities
The Next Generation Summer Intern supports World Relief’s Next Generation department in providing essential support and resources to children and families to promote wellbeing, academic success and community connection. Possible responsibilities include:
- Supporting Refugee Youth Summer Academy, potentially assisting with:
- Helping caregivers register their students for camp
- Transporting youth to and from camp activities
- Sorting and delivering important learning supplies to students’ homes
- Helping instructors and Resiliency Department interns facilitate in-person learning activities at local spaces
- Supporting virtual learning group calls as needed
- Connecting with individual students to support their experience
- Completing data entry and information systems tasks
- Assisting with case management for Next Gen families, such as securing basic resources, navigating school, and increasing computer literacy. Communicate well with Next Gen staff about the status of family needs.
- Helping families navigate program participation requirements, such as completing consent forms
- Checking in with Next Generation families in regards to opportunities, needs, demographic information, program satisfaction surveys, etc.
- Delivering gifts in celebration of students’ birthdays each month
- Attending planning or training meetings with Next Gen staff
- Depending on intern skillset and availability, completing projects involving design, research, or planning, to support Next Gen initiatives
- Other related tasks may be assigned, depending on organizational needs and each intern’s interests
Requirements
- Flexibility, initiative, and organizational ability.
- Ability and desire to work with people from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds.
- Experience working with youth highly preferred.
- Current driver’s license required.
- Desire to serve refugees and the mission of World Relief (“Empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable.”)
Other Aspects of Internship
- 6-8 weekly evening meetings (usually Monday nights 6pm-8:30pm) with World Relief staff for training
- Readings and videos on forced migration, diversity, equity & inclusion and cross-cultural work
- Reflective journal entries
Timeframe:
The Next Generation internship starts in June. The internship lasts for a minimum of 3 months and interns are expected to work a minimum of 200 direct service hours to complete the internship. At least two full days of availability each week is required, but more is preferred, due to the full-time nature of our summer program. Preferred days include Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
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