The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) builds wealth and opportunity for low-wealth individuals and communities through the promotion of socially and environmentally responsible development. TRF is a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization. TRF finances housing, community facilities, commercial real estate, healthy food retail, and energy. Internship opportunities are available with TRF; interested students should send their resume and a cover letter to the email address listed below.
The One Less Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance, through financial education and one-on-one mentoring, to under-served individuals and families that allow them to gain the skills necessary to escape poverty. Services offered by the One Less Foundation includes financial literacy courses, a one-on-one mentoring program, and life coaching; volunteer opportunities are available in most programs.
Incorporated in 1992, the mission of the Fair Housing Rights Center (FHRC) is to ensure equal access to housing opportunities for all people. To achieve this mission, the Center educates the public on fair housing laws, provides assistance to individuals who have experienced housing discrimination, monitors the community for compliance with applicable housing laws, and offers information and counseling on housing related issues.
The mission of the Sustainable Business Network is to build a just, green, and thriving economy in the Greater Philadelphia region. The SBN of Greater Philadelphia accomplishes this by educating and growing a broad base of local, independent businesses and educating policymakers and the public.
Service/Programs Offered:
Initiatives include the Buy Local Philly campaign, the Social Venture Institute, and the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners program. Through these and other undertakings, SBN works to connect consumers, independent businesses, and policymakers in making environmentally responsible decisions.
NOTE: Bryn Mawr students have organized Praxis III courses with the SBN in past years. Contact the Civic Engagement Office for more information.
Next City, formerly Next American City, is a non-profit media organization dedicated to connecting cities and informing the people who work to improve them, especially young emerging leaders.
Services/Programs Provided:
Next City provides daily coverage of public policy and current affairs from an urbanist perspective online at http://nextcity.org. In addition to online journalism, the organization produces events including an annual urban leadership conference.
Student Opportunities:
Get published! Next City welcomes stories on issues of urban sustainability that you feel passionate about and have thoroughly researched. Send pitches and writing samples to ariella@americancity.org. Submissions of photographs, illustrations, other art, or proposals for a reporting assignment can be addressed to tony@tonysmyrski.com.
NOTE: Bryn Mawr students have partnered with Next City on Praxis III courses, and summer internships are regularly offered, with applications opening in March in past years.
The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger (GPCAH) connects people to food assistance programs, nutrition education, and a network of food pantries while also educating the public and policymakers about responsible solutions that prevent people from going hungry.
Volunteer opportunities include canvassing high-need neighborhoods to inform residents of the services available to them, advocating for policy changes, and helping out with administrative tasks.
Lutheran Children and Family Service of Eastern Pennsylvania commits itself to serve vulnerable children and families in community through culturally competent ministries of care, nurturing, shelter, advocacy, and counseling, including but not limited to foster care, adoption, family preservation, education, resettlement, housing and job development. Students can get involved with our refugee resettlement program, BOOST after school program, and our West Philadelphia Senior Community Center.
The Lutheran Children and Family Service Refugee Resettlement Program is a local affiliate of the National Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which assists refugees and asylees through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State. When a refugee family arrives to the area, Lutheran Children and Family Service is responsible for gathering available resources, finding housing and employment, and providing general cultural orientation. Our refugee resettlement services are designed to create a smooth transition to life in the local community and to promote economic self-sufficiency. Volunteers are needed to mentor refugee families, escort refugees to appointments, provide homework help for refugee youth, set up refugee homes, assist with ESL classes, tutor unaccompanied refugee minors, collect donations, and provide childcare at workshops.
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that provides before and after school programs to over 900 youth at 11 schools in Southwest, West, North, and Northeast Philadelphia. Volunteers are needed to assist with homework and lead clubs and workshops for our students.
The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that offers dynamic and rewarding activities and events for older adults, ages 50 and above, who are residents of Philadelphia. WPSCC offers a computer lab with new computers and iPads for instruction and use, a fitness room with physical trainer and various exercise programs, as well as an array of daily classes and activities that enrich the mind, body and spirit. Volunteers are needed to teach classes in topics such as Spanish, quilting, woodworking, and scrapbooking.
If interested, please complete a volunteer applicationhere!
The Campaign for Working Families seeks practical ways to improve the economic status of working people in Philadelphia so that families have the opportunity to increase their income, wisely manage their finances, protect themselves from expensive financial services, and build assets. The Campaign for Working Families accomplishes this by connecting families to valuable tax credits, quality financial services, savings options, wealth building resources and public benefits.
Both internship and volunteer opportunities are often available. Volunteer positions include: tax preparer, resource builder (connecting families to public benefits, resources and financial opportunities), and greeter/administrative support.
NOTE: This volunteer opportunity is also available as a community-based work study program through Bryn Mawr.
The mission of Project H.O.M.E. is to empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, and to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty. Project H.O.M.E. achieves this through a continuum of care comprised of street outreach, a range of supportive housing, and other comprehensive services. The organization addresses the root causes of homelessness through neighborhood-based affordable housing, economic development, and environmental enhancement programs, as well as by providing access to employment opportunities, adult and youth education, and health care.
Volunteer opportunities include: aiding residents in daily activities, serving as a computer skills tutor, helping staff in an administrative capacity, and creating rewarding workshops and classes for residents.
Established in 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides social, educational, senior, translation/interpretation, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. You can help by volunteering/interning in a number of capacities, including as a teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, office helper, graphic designer, companion, bilingual receptionist, and more. Please see their website for more information.
This site was a Career and Civic Engagement Center Summer Funding placement for summer 2019.