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About Fortress
Fortress is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving Fort Worth's Historic Southside neighborhood. Our mission, building bridges from poverty to promise, takes a dual-generational approach to equip our students and their families with the resources they need to attain long-term stability, health and happiness. Through programs focused on academic, social-emotional and spiritual support, our strategy is to help children and parents utilize their existing strengths and develop new skills to overcome barriers born from systemic inequities, generational trauma, and life circumstances.
About Our Summer Internship
As a Summer Intern, you are an integral part of making our summer program run! You’ll serve in two distinct roles each day, enjoying a unique experience that combines the fun and engagement of being a summer counselor with the hands-on learning of a traditional career internship.
From 8:30am-2:00pm, you will work directly with our students, ranging in age from 3-12. Under the direction of our Student Programs Coordinator and alongside one of our experienced Lead Teachers, you will:
Organize and implement lessons and activities for early childhood and elementary students.
Supervise and chaperone students during program activities and field trips.
Mentor and guide middle school and high school volunteers who complete service project weeks with us.
From 2:00pm-5:30pm, you will work on two projects designed to enhance your professional skills and boost your resume. Under the direction of our Community Relations & Volunteer Coordinator, you will:
Help middle school and high school volunteers develop a deeper understanding of equity, privilege, and justice by facilitating our Southside 360 Program.
Complete a personalized Internship Capstone Project, which is designed based on your unique career or academic goals and interests.
How Our Internship Benefits You
The Fortress Summer Internship is designed for college students with little or no prior professional nonprofit or childcare experience. All that’s required is a heart for children in marginalized communities, a longing for leadership opportunities, openness to feedback, a desire to grow in faith, and an interest in digging deeply into issues of racial and social equity.
To help you make the most of your internship, Fortress provides training throughout the program on topics such as trauma-informed care, racial discrimination, and nonprofit management and fundraising. You’ll be paired with a mentor – either a Fortress staff member or a community volunteer – who will advise you throughout your Internship Capstone Project.
During your internship, you will acquire and refine marketable workplace skills such as project planning, nonprofit leadership, public speaking, volunteer management, and trauma-informed care, along with the skills specific to your Internship Capstone Project.
Who Can Be an Intern
Our summer internships are designed for students who are currently enrolled in college and have completed at least one year of school. Fortress interns are commonly pursuing undergraduate degrees in areas like Education, Ministry, Social Work, Psychology, Family Studies, Nonprofit Leadership, and the liberal arts.
Interns are expected to be available for the full summer schedule, which runs from May 30-August 3, with a week break from July 3-7.
Successful interns possess a love for Jesus and a desire to share his love with vulnerable communities. They are grace-filled and eager to learn and grow in ministry and in their pursuit of justice. They are also energetic and enthusiastic about potential careers in education, nonprofits, ministry, or other related fields.
What Fortress Offers Its Interns
Fortress is committed to providing a high-quality internship experience by offering:
Faith-filled fellowship with other interns and mentorship by other Christian leaders.
A pay rate of $10/hour, for up to 36-40 hours per week.
Stable work hours: Mondays-Thursdays from 8:30am-5:30pm and occasional Sunday evenings.
Options to individualize the internship experience to meet degree requirements for college credit.
A work environment that encourages honest feedback (even when it’s tough), seeks progress toward racial and social equity, and upholds values aligned with the teachings of Jesus.
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what our former interns are saying:
"Having the opportunity to work with the kiddos at Fortress has been so important to my growth as an educator, both professionally and personally. Interning at Fortress confirmed for me that I was on the right path and that I could do a great deal of good as an educator." - Aidan K., Summer Intern and senior Music Education student at St. Olaf College
“Fortress taught me how to love children in the way Jesus does, gave me tons of skills that I am able to bring to my future careers, and gave me tons of friendships along the way.” - Rachel S., Summer Intern and senior Nursing student at Texas Christian University
“Interning at Fortress was one of the best opportunities I’ve ever been afforded. I believe Fortress offered me the unique opportunity to learn and develop skills in multiple areas that could assist me in my future career, rather than a single area that other internships may offer. Whether you are interested in growing your faith, working with children, or learning the administrative side of nonprofit work, Fortress ensures that you gain valuable hands-on experience.” - Hailey H., Summer/Fall Development Intern and senior Political Science student at Texas A&M Commerce
“I loved my internship experience – it was completely tailored to my career interests! Learning about the community Fortress serves was amazing and I loved working with the youth groups and Fortress kids!” - Cassidy C., Summer Intern and Child Life graduate student at Texas Woman’s University
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