Call for Applications: 4 Internship Opportunities in Migration Justice at LSA Family Health Service
The Fordham Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity, with generous funding from the Cummings Foundation, seeks applications from Fordham undergraduate and graduate students for four year-long and one semester-long paid internships at LSA Family Health Service (LSA). LSA is a neighborhood-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening and empowering vulnerable families and children in East Harlem by meeting their basic needs for food, healthcare, education and a safe home, in the belief that affirming families in their own dignity improves the entire community. Over 4,300 families benefit annually from LSA’s holistic, multi-service model of supporting families in their struggle to emerge from crisis, poverty or illness.
Positions:
- 2 Public Health Interns (Fall and Spring Semester; approx. 10 hours a week starting Sep 2026, $5,040 compensation plus $150 transportation stipend)
- 1 Development Intern (Fall and Spring Semester; approx. 10 hours a week starting Sep 2026, $5,040 compensation plus $150 transportation stipend)
- 1 K-5 Enrichment Intern (Fall and Spring Semester: approx. 10 hours a week starting Sep 2026, $5,040 compensation plus $150 transportation stipend)
Time Commitment:
In addition to 10 hours/week, students must attend 3 Fordham Reflection and Formation sessions with other Interns per semester, through the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity (sessions are counted as internship hours). TENTATIVE session dates for the fall 2026 semester are as follows:
- October 1, 1-2:15pm-Orientation (Required)
- October 21, 2:30-3:30pm
- November 12, 1-2:15pm
- December 8, time TBA
To apply, please complete this form by September 8th, 2026. First-round candidates will be screened by a panel of Fordham faculty/staff. Finalists will be interviewed directly by LSA staff.
For details, please see internship descriptions below. Any questions, please contact The Fordham Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity at migrationjustice@fordham.edu.
About LSA
The Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service, Inc. (LSA) is a neighborhood-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening and empowering vulnerable families and children in East Harlem by meeting their basic needs for food, healthcare, education and a safe home, in the belief that affirming families in their own dignity improves the entire community. Over 4,300 families benefit annually from LSA’s holistic, multi-service model of supporting families in their struggle to emerge from crisis, poverty or illness.
Public Health Intern
Position Description
This is a temporary internship, lasting the duration of the 2025-26 academic year. As one of the largest Latino communities in NYC, East Harlem has experienced significant growth in population due to the recent arrival of nearly 50,000 people seeking asylum in NYC. East Harlem currently holds the highest number of asthma cases in the entire NYC area for adults and children and the poverty rate was 31.2% in 2021 compared to 18.0% citywide. The Public Health Intern will report to Carolina Tenecela, Director of Community Health, and will work with agency directors and community health workers to engage with and learn about the community and the social inequities affecting their accessibility to physical, mental, and emotional health. The schedule will fall within the hours of 9AM-5PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays. This role provides a $5,040 stipend for a commitment of 280 hours over 2 semesters (approximately 10 hours/week).
Job Responsibilities
● Support community-based outreach (e.g. flyering).
● Data entry for engagement activities.
● Build community trust through service-based work and relationship-building.
● Help people understand other programs and services available in the community.
● Deliver information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts.
● Link people to health care, and social service resources including health insurance, food, housing, quality care, and health information.
● Providing support, follow-ups, and building people’s capacity to advocate for their needs.
● Soliciting and capturing community feedback, especially community strengths and needs.
● Conduct assessments of community resources and needs as identified.
● Collaborate with tenant groups, community-based organizations, and other agencies, serving the East Harlem community.
● Attend and contribute at meetings as needed.
● Assist in the development of educational materials for the general public.
● Attend 3 Fordham Reflection and Formation sessions per semester with other Interns through the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity (sessions counted as internship hours).
Requirements and Qualifications
● Good communication and interpersonal skills
● Flexibility; ability to respect and adjust to different customs, cultures, and priorities
● Willingness to learn and interact with immigrant communities
● Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, and willing to learn myEvolv, our client database system
Other Skills/Requirements
● Previous experience working with high-need priority populations is preferred
● Language skills – Spanish proficiency required. Fluency in another language such as Mandarin, Arabic, French, etc. is highly desirable
● Flu and COVID Vaccination is highly recommended.
Development Intern
Position Description
This is a temporary internship, lasting the duration of the 2025-26 academic year. Reporting to either the Development Coordinator or Development Assistant, and to the Director of Community and Individual Engagement as needed, the Development Intern plays a key role in database management, communications, and providing administrative support to the Development Team. The schedule will fall within the hours of 9AM-5PM, Mon-Thurs. This role provides a $5,040 stipend for a commitment of 280 hours over 2 semesters (approximately 10 hours/week).
Job Responsibilities
● Assist with data input, maintenance and integration of several constituent lists in our agency database (CRM).
● Draft, proofread, edit, and format content for flyers, email and postal mail campaigns, newsletters, website, and social media posts to assist with community engagement and share updates about LSA’s mission, programs, and events.
● Assist with running and formatting reports for the Development team.
● Other administrative support duties for Development team, programs, and internal teams, as may be needed.
● Assist with logistics for fundraising and cultivation events, including liaising and soliciting vendors, tracking donations and RSVPs, organizing auction items and activities, event follow-ups and thank yous, etc.
● Make logistical preparations for major donor site visits, including developing a schedule, coordinating participants, and preparing site visit materials.
● Organize documents and media in the shared drive and reconcile information stored in both the database and drive.
● Responsible for special projects and other assignments as identified by the CEO and Development Team.
● Attend 3 Fordham Reflection and Formation sessions per semester with other Interns through the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity (sessions counted as internship hours).
Requirements and Qualifications
● Administrative or office experience; experience in data/databases or marketing/communications, a plus
● Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, Canva, and Google Suite
● The ability to learn DonorPerfect and similar donor management systems
● Bilingual in Spanish a plus, but not required
Other Skills/Requirements
● Detail oriented and organized
● Able to prioritize while working on multiple projects simultaneously; able to meet deadlines
● Able to take direction well
● Sense of humor and positive attitude
● Able to work as part of a team and independent
K-5 Enrichment Intern
Position Description
This is a temporary internship, lasting the duration of the 2026-27 academic year. LSA’s K-5 Enrichment Program increases academic performance, educational opportunities and pathways for real-life success for children and families living in East Harlem. Our goal is to provide a variety of academic services and promote student’s social and emotional health while encouraging parent engagement in their child’s academic journey. Many of the children entering the program perform below grade level in English Language Arts, Math, or both. They are often first generation children of immigrant parents, many of whom have low literacy levels in their native language and limited English proficiency, which creates barriers to navigating school and community systems and accessing resources. The program is designed to strengthen our students’ ELA and math skills and caters to social emotional development by implementing the 5 competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) while equipping parents with necessary knowledge and tools through workshops and literacy programs that result in long lasting parent involvement in their child’s academic success. The schedule will be Monday 4:00-6:00pm, Tuesdays 3:00-6:00pm, and Fridays 1:00-6:00pm. This role provides a $5,040 stipend for a commitment of 280 hours over 2 semesters (approximately 10 hours/week). (Please note, the hours are subject to change).
Job Responsibilities
The interns will collaborate with program staff to conduct intakes for newly enrolled clients and update the intakes of rollover clients. Their responsibilities will entail providing support to families in need, including educational case management services, advocacy, and resource referrals. Throughout the intake process, interns will establish rapport with parents and comprehend their specific needs, with a focus on addressing the most urgent cases due to the high volume of families. Additionally, interns will undergo training on our data system and are required to maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions. Attendance at mandatory supervision and team meetings is also mandatory.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Experience working with children, parents, educational programs, and/or schools
- Social work or case management experience, a plus
- Willingness to learn MyEvolv, our client database system
- Bilingual in Spanish required
Other Skills/Requirements
- Detail oriented and organized
- High emotional intelligence
- Able to prioritize while working on multiple projects simultaneously; able to meet deadlines
- Able to take direction well
- Sense of humor and positive attitude
- Able to work as part of a team and independently