richmond justice program SUMMER INTERNSHIP
June 9 - July 24, 2024
about
What purpose does God have for your life? Does a loving God care about the injustice in our world? Find the intersection of these questions in the Richmond Justice Program. Explore how God is calling you to live out your vocation in the world through a summer of intensive discipleship, where you’ll learn how Jesus is at work renewing the city through its people.
The issues of racism, poverty, violence, and greed driving our headlines today didn’t just appear. They have roots, back through the beginning of the American story. Nowhere is this more clear than in Richmond, where Patrick Henry declared “Give me liberty or give me death” while people were sold into slavery down the river, where today the poverty rate is 5% among whites but 30% in black communities.
The summer program gives students an immersive experience of living out God’s kingdom values by sending them in teams to live, work, and go to church with other IV students in diverse neighborhoods of Richmond. Throughout the summer, students receive teaching from a Christian perspective on the biblical values of service, justice, and compassion, as well as receiving regular training in leadership, teamwork, and decision-making. This hands-on experience equips students to use their careers to combat the social, economic, and spiritual challenges of our world.
There are two options for daily internships during the program. Most students will choose to be placed by InterVarsity to intern with community-based organizations in the Northside and East End of Richmond that address the social issues of the city. Possible placement fields include child/youth development, urban church ministry, job skills training, housing, and environmental justice. However, we recognize that potential candidates may desire to intern in a different field or work a job they already have. In these cases, an RJP student can find their own partner internship and still participate in the program. Contact the director to learn more about this alternative.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Ideal interns are ready to challenge themselves in a new environment. They should have the emotional maturity to adapt to an intense program and to engage deeply with justice issues in discussion and relationships.
Applicants should be maturing Christians between the ages of 18-25, growing in leadership and spiritual formation on their campuses.
Applicants should be willing to contribute time and energy prior to the program to preparation, helping to fundraise and praying for their team.
Participation Expectations
Each intern is required to be fully present for the entirety of the program in Richmond and participate in all activities: Bible studies, reading discussions, field trips, teaching, and worship.
Interns will live in a house community with other interns, building relationships, sharing meals, and working through conflict together.
All interns will be mentored through the summer by InterVarsity or church leaders.
Interns will serve at the discretion of their site supervisors, fulfilling any responsibilities the host nonprofit asks of them- or if working an individually chosen internship, keep their hours limited to Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.
Application Requirements
Fill out the full application by the deadline.
Provide references from a peer and a spiritual mentor. Links to these forms are found on page three of the application.
Note that you cannot save work on the application and return to it, so we recommend setting aside sufficient time to complete it, or reading through the questions and writing answers elsewhere to be worked on gradually.
ready to apply?
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
FAQ
Q: What does the internship cost? Can I get paid? The cost of the program is about $2500/person, but we do not expect that interns pay this out-of-pocket. The cost will be fundraised as a team by all participants with training and support from IV staff, through reaching out to churches, friends, and family networks. We also recommend applying for summer internship grants through your university, where possible. This cost includes all food and living expenses; interns will not need to spend any additional money for the summer. We also recommend applying for any available internship grants through your university; contact Lisa (lisa.saunders@intervarsity.org) for help doing so!
Q: Why is there a technology fast? We ask all interns to abide by a technology fast in order to increase their ability to be present with the community around them and to depend on the Lord for their needs. This means that we typically limit personal screen time to one hour per day. Many interns have found that the tech fast is a relief and a blessing to them! Miriam (RJP ‘18) said: “The technology fast helped me identify all the ways I unintentionally isolate myself and how I find comfort and security in technology instead of pressing into my relationship with Jesus and peers.” We do use phones for basic functions such as Maps, camera, and communication with your internship site.
Q: Do I have to live with people in the program? Yes, living in covenant community with other interns is an important part of the experience. Your teammates will encourage you, pray for you, and challenge you throughout the summer! Several interns have developed lasting friendships through RJP in the past.
Q: Will I definitely be placed in the internship field I rank highest? Not necessarily, as we consider a number of factors with placement, including your interest ranking, local community needs, team balance, and transportation. You will find out your placement in April, after accepting your spot. If you would prefer to find your own job or internship, please contact Lisa (lisa.saunders@intervarsity.org) to learn more.
Q: What should I expect during a week of the RJP internship? During a regular week of RJP, interns will Sabbath on Sunday and attend a local partner church in the morning or afternoon. We believe that resting in the Lord allows us to go and serve from a place of being filled. Monday through Friday, interns will serve at their intern sites during the day, for a total of about 30 hours per week. In the evenings, we follow a weekly pattern of Bible study, neighbor engagement, documentary and reading discussion, and large gathering nights. Each week will have a focus topic, such as God’s heart for the poor, racial justice, or mission and activism. Saturdays are a flex day, usually including an experiential learning portion (such as a visit to a historical site or farm), as well as time to rest, grocery shop, and have fun. The opening and closing weeks of the summer will be used for orientation and debrief, and thus will have differing schedules, including a higher level of program-wide activities.
Q: Why is the RJP internship a good investment of my time? While many internships focus exclusively on work experience, the RJP internship includes formation elements that address your spiritual, personal, and social development. The whole-life discipleship that results from this type of intensive experience can shape you for years to come. Read some of our intern blogs to find out more about how RJP has impacted students in the past!
Q: I have more questions. Who should I talk to? Our program co-director is Kiana Pilson. You can email her at kiana.pilson@intervarsity.org with any questions that come up as you apply or prepare for the internship.