HEY! Internship Program Details

HEY! Internship

What: This is a paid Internship for young people who want to speak up, be heard, lead, and help shape a better future for youth in the Greater Cincinnati area. As an Intern, you’ll be part of HEY! (Hopeful Empowered Youth), a 10-year plan focused on enhancing youth mental health, well-being, and access to opportunities. You’ll help drive key aspects of this plan forward while also developing your own skills, confidence, and career experience. This Internship requires young people with a deeper level of commitment, who strive for personal and professional growth, and want to work closely with others to achieve a collective impact. To be considered as an Intern, you must have completed a HEY! Fellowship in the past.

HEY! Interns

Ages 16-24

Facilitate groups, lead research projects, training, evaluation, and participate in fellowship activities. HEY! Interns will be assigned to a working group and represent/support youth in the meetings. This is a 8-month opportunity, and you must have reliable transportation. 

Numbers: We are seeking 4 Interns for this opportunity

Duration: September 8th, 2025- April 27th, 2026

Applicant Demographics: Young people aged 16-24 who are graduates of previous HEY! Cohorts in the Greater Cincinnati region are invited to apply. The 10-year strategy is designed to improve supports for all youth in the region with a targeted focus on those who are facing the most significant barriers from the current system: Black and Brown youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and systems-involved youth (involvement with child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice system). We are seeking youth who can share their lived experiences.

Hours per month: Up to 80 hours per month

• This may include in-person meetings, attending working group meetings, and administrative duties.

• Work hours may increase to roughly 80 hours per month, but most months are 60 hours per month 

Rate: $21/hr

Support Team: HEY! Program managers & Youth At The Center

Application Details

Application opens: July 28, 2025
Application Deadline: August 10, 2025

Additional Questions: Email: info@hopefulempoweredyouth.org 

Meeting Locations/Timing

Fellows will meet regularly on Monday evenings from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the Youth At The Center Office (downtown at 500 Reading Rd, 45202). Working Group Representatives & Interns will be expected to meet for additional in-person meetings on Thursday evenings 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (May be subject to change). Food is provided at Monday meetings.

Transportation: 

We ask that Fellows reliably attend weekly meetings and other in-person events, such as trainings, community events, or youth summits. We know that transportation can be challenging, so we do offer transportation support when needed. Metro bus passes are available, as well as Uber rides, which can be provided in special circumstances. These resources aren't intended for regular or daily use and should only be utilized when other transportation options are unavailable.

Working Group Interns

Each intern will be assigned one area:

• Community and Caregivers

• Treatment

• Schools

• Data

What else will Interns be doing?

In concert with the working groups, Interns will:

• Provide feedback and perspectives to help advance the broader HEY! initiative, particularly informing the work of the Steering Committee and Working Groups.

• Receive skill development and support at weekly meetings 

• Make recommendations to ensure mental health systems are youth-centered

• Be invited to engage in opportunities for personal and professional development through coaching, training, and hands-on experiences

• Have Public Speaking & Advocacy opportunities to share findings with stakeholders/key players

• Participate in data collection to ensure as many youth voices are included in the process as possible

• Collaborate with youth fellows to co-design initiatives, co-facilitate discussions, and strengthen youth-led decision-making

• Plan fellowship meetings and lead activities

• Act as a representative for their respective working group

 Interns will also be asked to attend an intern & fellowship bonding retreat: 

• All Interns will participate in a 24-48 hour overnight retreat focused on team building, bonding, and leadership development.

• This will be an opportunity to connect with your peers, build trust, and have fun, all while learning new skills.

• The retreat will take place, and youth must be comfortable spending a night or two away from their guardians. More details will be shared in advance.

• During the retreat, the goals for youth are to participate in:

• Team building and trust-building activities 

• Mental health conversations

• Youth-led goal setting for the upcoming Internship 

• Fun, relaxing, and informal conversations

Key Qualities

While each Intern will bring their own background, beliefs, and experiences to share, Interns should possess these key qualities:

• Interest in creating a healthier community for young people

• Promoting resources and qualities that support youth well-being

• A flexible schedule that allows for regular participation in meetings and events

• Willingness to engage in courageous conversations around mental health, stigma, historical inequities, and more

• Ability to engage with peers and community members

• Desire to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with fellows and other positions within HEY!

•  Interest in taking the lead on tasks or projects and following through independently. being able to lead small tasks or parts of a project,

•  Able to clearly communicate with different roles, like working group members, program managers, other fellows, and other interns. 

• Able to utilize what they know about mental health and the mission/goals of HEY! 

• Being a strong team player and able to offer support, mentorship, and opportunities to younger fellows

Opportunities for Training and Skill Development

Interns will receive training to develop their skills and equip them with the knowledge to aid their efforts in developing the strategy, including.

• Leading parts of projects or tasks

• Assist in facilitating meetings

• Community Building

• Understanding Leadership Styles

• Project Planning/Event Planning

• Conflict Management/Giving & Receiving Feedback

• Working with peers and being able to hold each other accountable in a positive manner

• Effective Communication/Public Speaking

• Communicating effectively across different roles within HEY!

• Asset-Based Community Engagement/Asset Mapping

• Grounding in Community Research Practices: Youth-Led Programs and Youth Participatory Action Research 

• Help prepare youth to attend working group meetings

• Learning how to connect people and share information