YouthAction NYC Internship Program

Are you a young New York City resident looking to learn how to be an effective advocate for yourself, your school and your community?

Then read more about CCC’s YouthAction NYC Internship Program!

In past years, youth throughout all five boroughs of New York City have been invited to participate in CCC’s YouthAction Community Leadership Course (YCLC)—a free 10-week interactive course all about youth civic engagement and advocacy.

This year, we’re paying YOU $400 dollars a semester to participate in our internship program!

The YouthAction NYC Internship program is a year-long civic engagement program split into two semesters of work. The first Semester spans from October-December and focuses on teaching participants how to apply the steps of effective advocacy, conduct and analyze research and develop their leadership skills. Participants engage in weekly in-person sessions where they identify the various issues facing young New Yorkers and brainstorm possible solutions. This will be time for you to vocalize your own experiences and build solidarity with your peers!

The Second semester, which spans from January-May, focuses on utilizing all the tools and knowledge acquired in the first semester to advocate, campaign, and rally for the issues most pressing to the participants. This will include but is not limited to, meetings with council members and legislators, connecting to youth programs focusing on similar topics, conducting participatory research, Lobby trips to Albany, coordinating and hosting youth-centered events.

• No prior research or advocacy experience required; we support learning at all levels.
• The program welcomes all young New Yorkers aged 14 to 19, regardless of their current school enrollment status.
•  Participants can earn a stipend of up to 800 Dollars.

To summarize, in this program you will:

• Gain the skills to advocate on behalf of yourself, your school, and your community.
• Learn how to conduct hands-on research, such as public polling, and surveys.
• Meet with government officials to discuss your ideas for improving New York City.
• Become a better leader through problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Strengthen your communication and public speaking skills.
• Make lifelong friends with the diverse group of your peers!

“YouthAction NYC has been a life-changing experience for me. I’ve had opportunities to connect with community leaders and youth around the city to identify problems that impact our communities and work collectively to find solutions and advocate for them. I’ve gained so much experience and knowledge from the program that I’ve been able to use to advocate in my school and community and bring change for the better!” – Edward Sanchez, Class of 2021

Applications for the 2025-2026  YouthAction Internship Program will open up in mid-August 2025.

                                                                             THE 2024 YOUTHACTION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED