FREEDOM SCHOOLS SERVANT LEADER INTERN (SUMMER 2025)
Partnership with Children works with public schools in New York City’s highest-need communities to provide critical social and emotional supports for the hardest-to-reach youth and to systematically build schools that are safe, successful and conducive to learning. Partnership with Children will implement the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® program in one of our partner schools in Brownsville, Brooklyn during the summer of 2025. The CDF Freedom Schools® program is an educational and cultural enrichment summer program that promotes family and community involvement. The program serves children in grades 1st through 5th for six weeks. The activity-based program integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness.
College-age young people and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools® program as Servant Leader Interns (paid summer staff). Servant Leaders are responsible for the front-line care and supervision of the summer program participants. They serve as facilitators in the classroom and as leaders of parent workshops and community outreach activities. The ideal Servant Leader is a responsible go-getter who is passionate about youth development.
Responsibilities:
· Supervise a group of 10 students, ages 6-11 years old over the course of the 6-week summer program
· Deliver reading curriculum to student group
· Set up and break down classroom space, including securing and organizing the appropriate materials
· Collaborate with staff to establish and maintain a supportive and structured environment for the student group
· Devise afternoon enrichment activities (arts, yoga, dance, sports, STEM, social action, etc.) and serve as a leader of these activities and other special events; chaperone field trips
· Engage parents and caregivers in their students’ Freedom School activities
Qualifications:
· Must be at least 19 years of age, have completed at least one year of college, and plan to complete college
· Maintain or have graduated with at least a 2.5 GPA
· Experience managing large groups of people (e.g. children, college-age young people, parents)
· Solid commitment to children’s advocacy and enthusiasm for the CDF Freedom Schools® program
· Ability to motivate others and work as part of a team
· Strong appreciation and understanding of individual cultural history and the willingness to be open and respectful of all cultures
· Willingness to strive for excellence in all areas and ability to think critically and analytically
· Exhibit positive behavior and attitude; model a mature and professional demeanor
· Excellent written and verbal skills
· Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to the ethics of good character, humility, and servant leadership
· Current voter registration (as eligible by law)
· Authorization for background check for criminal and child protective findings
· Spanish language proficiency a plus, but not required
Hours & Compensation:
· Summer position: June 26-August 8, 2025 (exact dates to be determined by NYC DOE summer school calendar)
· Monday-Friday, 7:30am-3:30pm or 8am-4pm (exact hours to be confirmed by location)
· Additional 6 days of mandatory CDF Freedom School training. This training will be held in person by the Children’s Defense Fund on location in Knoxville, Tennessee from June 3 - June 8, 2025. Travel day will be on June 3rd.
· Two mandatory local orientation and training for the Site Coordinator and Servant Leader Interns will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 and on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10am-3pm. Final dates/times TBD. Classroom set-up to be scheduled at your school site between June 26 – June 27, 2025.
· Compensation is $22/hour for the 6 week program with an additional stipend provided for attending ALL training dates.
Program Location:
· P.S. 165 Ida Posner, 76 Lott Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Partnership with Children welcomes diversity in all its forms and believes that its mission can only be achieved when diversity is leveraged across all areas, including race, gender, gender expression, age, nationality and life experience. Partnership with Children is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Partnership with Children provides equal opportunity for all applicants and employees.