Program Overview

Program Overview

The Summer Service Internship is sponsored by the Center for Peace and Justice Education and the St. Thomas of Villanova Center for the Common Good. This program provides Villanova undergraduates with a funded opportunity to engage in service and justice work in the greater Philadelphia region over the summer, accompanied by opportunities for shared reflection among the student cohort.

Program Details

Duration and Stipend

• The internship is a nine-week program from June 1 to July 31, 2026, requiring 20-25 hours of work per week.
• A stipend of $3,000 is provided.
• Mandatory orientation begins on June 1, with possible prepatory clearances and trainings required by the internship site.
• Support for room, board, and transportation may be available.

Responsibilities and Requirements

• Internship responsibilities must extend beyond basic administrative support, focusing on content-driven work fundamental to the organization's mission and/or direct contact with the communities served.
• There are five designated internship opportunities for 2026, with the possibility of a sixth position depending on available funds.
• Each site will host one intern, with the option for a student to secure an internship with an organization outside the five listed, subject to approval.

Approved Placements

Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (ADROP)

• ADROP focuses on issues such as immigration, mass incarceration, and access to healthcare.
• Possible work assignments include a general healthcare clinic position and a nursing/medical healthcare clinic position, particularly suited for nursing or pre-med students.

Centro de Cultura Arte Trabajo y Educacion (CCATE)

• CCATE is a non-profit organization aiming to empower the Latinx community through culture, art, career development, and education.
• Internships are tailored to the student's strengths, skills, and interests, with a focus on motivation and initiative.
• Possible work assignments include communications and outreach, programs and administration, and research and strategic planning.

Bethel AME Church Ardmore & Ardmore Victory Gardens

• The internship focuses on community garden work, addressing sustainability, creation-care, food security, and access to healthy produce.
• Possible assignments include assisting with the community garden, engaging in community programming, and participating in events like vaccine clinics and the Juneteenth celebration.

Martha's Community Farm

• The farm uses sustainable practices to address food insecurity by growing produce for a food pantry.
• Interns may assist with social media, event promotion, volunteer management, environmental education, and farming.
• A valid driver's license and willingness to be outside in various weather conditions are required.

Bebashi: Transition to Hope

• Bebashi provides healthcare, health education, and social services, focusing on those with HIV, at risk of contracting HIV, and their loved ones.
• Interns are trained in medical case management, working directly with clients on medical care, mental health, housing, and nutrition.

Self-Selected Placements

Students may propose an alternative internship for approval, which must provide an opportunity for service and justice work in the greater Philadelphia area. The proposal should include initial contact with the organization and a willingness to work on service and justice issues.

Reflection and Community Engagement

Integral to the internship is a commitment to spend time with other interns in reflection and community sharing about social concerns and dynamics affecting the community served by the internship sites. This includes weekly dinners and discussions around readings, videos, or podcasts to enhance learning.