Youth Intern of the Senior Wellness Day Program

Position Type: Unpaid Part-time Internship/ Youth Leadership Opportunity

Hours: 10 hrs/week; Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am - 2 pm

Duration: Quarterly or Semester

Hmong Youth and Parents United (HYPU) is a community-based organization committed to empowering underserved communities through culturally responsive education, social services, youth development, health and wellness programming, and cultural preservation. 

Guided by values of empowerment, well-being, and cultural preservation, HYPU works to build a community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. HYPU’s Senior Wellness Day Program creates a welcoming and culturally affirming space where Hmong elders can build social connections, participate in wellness and recreational activities, access information and resources, and remain engaged with their culture and community. 

POSITION SUMMARY

HYPU is seeking a motivated and community-minded Youth Intern to support the Senior Wellness Day Program. HYPU invites youth and young adults who are interested in health, wellness, and community service to apply for the Youth Internship. This unpaid internship provides hands-on learning and professional development experience for youth and young adults interested in public health, social services, health education, community wellness, cultural preservation, and nonprofit work. 

Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the youth intern will help create a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for Hmong elders. Interns will also have opportunities to learn from elders, strengthen intergenerational relationships, and contribute ideas for activities that promote cultural connection, well-being, and community belonging.

This internship offers young people the opportunity to build professional skills in community service, event coordination, leadership, communication, cultural preservation, and health and wellness programming.

INTERNSHIP LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

By the end of the internship, the Youth Intern will gain experience in:

  • Community service and nonprofit operations. 

  • Intergenerational engagement and cultural preservation. 

  • Event planning, activity facilitation, and group leadership. 

  • Program evaluation, attendance tracking, and survey collection. 

  • Career exploration in social work, public health, gerontology, education, health services, and community development 

  • Working respectfully with elders and diverse community members. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Youth Program Intern may support the Senior Wellness Day Program in the following areas: 

  • Assist with preparing rooms, materials, supplies, food service areas, activity stations, and participant seating before program activities.

  • Help facilitate wellness, recreational, educational, arts, cultural, and social activities for senior participants.

  • Support activities such as gentle movement, games, storytelling, music, arts and crafts, cultural learning, holiday celebrations, and community-building activities.

  • Encourage respectful participation and help create a welcoming environment where seniors feel included, valued, and connected.

  • Gather appropriate feedback from participants about activities, interests, and ideas for future programming. 

  • Assist the Program Coordinator with attendance tracking, activity sign-in sheets, supply inventories, and other program documentation.

  • Support preparation of flyers, calendars, activity schedules, reminder calls or messages, and outreach materials.

  • Support preparation for special events, community presentations, workshops, cultural celebrations, and resource fairs. 

  • Support the creation of culturally relevant social media content, flyers, short videos, or other communications, as assigned. 

  • Complete additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Senior Wellness Program Coordinator or Program Manager 

QUALIFICATIONS

HYPU welcomes youth who are interested in community service, leadership, health and wellness, cultural preservation, and supporting elders and seeks individuals with:

  • Basic bilingual ability in English and Hmong 

  • Basic computer skills, including email, Microsoft Word, Google Workspace, or data entry

Preferred qualifications include:

  • Youth or young adult, 18 years or older.

  • Interest in serving Hmong elders, immigrant and refugee communities, or underserved communities.

  • Interest in health, social services, education, community organizing, youth leadership, or nonprofit work.

  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, seniors, families, and community partners.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect participant privacy.

  • Prior volunteer, leadership, school club, family caregiving, or community-service experience is welcomed but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.

  • Ability to use a computer for extended periods.

  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

  • May require occasional travel within the community.

COMPENSATION

This is an unpaid educational and service-learning internship designed to provide structured training, mentorship, career exposure, and supervised practical experience in community health and wellness programming.

The internship is intended to complement the intern’s educational and professional development goals. Interns will not replace paid staff or assume primary responsibility for essential program operations. HYPU will provide learning opportunities, supervision, feedback, and opportunities for skill development throughout the internship period.

Where applicable, HYPU may support interns in documenting volunteer or service-learning hours,  providing verification of participation, and letters of recommendation. Completion of the internship does not guarantee future employment with HYPU.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be able to work during the Senior Wellness Day Program’s regular operating hours, currently Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm, and able to commit to a consistent weekly internship schedule.

TO APPLY

Submit a resume and a cover letter to hr@hypu.org. Position immediately available. Open until filled. Submissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Hmong Youth and Parents United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, Hmong Youth and Parents United complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. Hmong Youth and Parents United also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.