Summer Service

Interns for Justice (Summer 2025)

The Interns for Justice (IFJ) program is an 8-10 week summer service opportunity for University of Portland students. Throughout the summer, interns serve with organizations that work alongside traditionally underserved or marginalized populations. Interns build deep relationships with the people and communities with which they serve, critically examine root causes of poverty and injustice, and intentionally reflect on lived experiences.

Program Details

1. The program kicks off with a gathering of all interns and orientation which occurs in the second half of spring semester.

2. Students lead the process of selecting a host organization. Considerations include:

• Population: The intern will decide with whom they would like to stand in solidarity for the summer. Past populations have included children and youth, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, older adults, people with mental illness, the incarcerated, immigrants, survivors of domestic abuse, and more.
• Location: Students can elect to serve and live here in Portland, in their hometown, elsewhere in the United States, or in another country.  Please note that the Moreau Center will not be subsidizing the cost necessary to travel to a service location or be providing room and board.
• Service: Students have served with social service agencies, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), prisons, hospitals, Catholic Worker Houses of Hospitality, faith based non-profits, and post-grad service sites. Students will be directly working with people.

3. Students commit to serving 200 hours (approximately 8-10 weeks) over the summer months. Your start date will depend on the timeline decided upon with your specific service site. You will be asked to indicate on your application when you are available to serve.

4. Students will engage in the following:

• Developing goals and a Learning Agreement
• Ongoing personal reflection and social analysis, to be completed in the form of a journal or blog 
• Selected readings
• Two or three meetings with peer interns
• Two or three check-ins with staff advisor
• End of internship reflection/evaluation

5. The Interns for Justice experience will conclude with a gathering of interns in the first half of the fall semester.

Benefits

• Volunteer stipend of $3,500
• Staff support throughout your summer internship
• An opportunity to discern possible careers or further engagement in the field
• Professional and personal formation

For more information, please read the Interns for Justice position description.

If you are interested in becoming an Intern for Justice, please email the Moreau Center for Service and Justice (moreaucenter@up.edu).  We have 4 spaces available for Summer 2025, with potential for additional spots dependent on student interest.

To view reflections from previous participants, visit our Interns for Justice blog.