Celebrating Our 2025 Summer Interns
Every summer, we’re reminded that the future is full of bright, capable leaders. This year, Urban Ventures had the privilege of hosting eight paid college interns who invested their time and talents into our community. They worked on the farm, in youth mentoring, and with Summer Ventures, bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and steady support to our busiest program season.
Paid internships matter. For students from low-income neighborhoods, the summer often comes with a tough choice: take a job that pays the bills or find an internship that builds a résumé. Too often, unpaid internships are only accessible to those who can afford to work for free. Urban Ventures works to remove that barrier through our paid internship program. Our interns can both earn an income and gain valuable experience that will shape their future careers.
This summer, the impact was tangible:
On the farm, five interns worked side by side with our staff, learning the rhythms of planting, harvesting, and distributing food while also developing leadership and teamwork skills. Their hands-on work directly supported families across our neighborhood with fresh, healthy produce.
In Youth Mentoring, our intern brought strong leadership and consistency. As one staff member shared, “Our intern was a great addition to the team! She brought strong leadership, and was very dependable and consistent.” That reliability helped create a safe and steady environment for students.
With Summer Ventures, two interns carried a huge share of behind-the-scenes work, preparing curriculum, devotional guides, weekly activities, and even assemblies. One team member put it best: “In addition to all of the logistical support, our interns both had great impact on individual students.” Their influence stretched from organizing details to walking alongside kids in meaningful ways.
Our interns and staff at their celebatory dinner to finish the summer
Another staff member summed it up well: “Interns are a wonderful resource for increasing the effectiveness of the program as well as a fun experience to pour into the up and rising leaders of this kind of work!”
We agree. These eight interns not only grew their own skills, but also multiplied the reach and effectiveness of our programs. They made sure more students were seen and supported. They helped deliver more food to families. They kept activities and lessons running smoothly. And in the process, they gained real-world experience that will serve them long after the summer ends.
To our interns: thank you. Your work mattered, and so do you. We can’t wait to see where you go next.
