UP for Women and Children is seeking two enthusiastic, compassionate interns to support our second season of the Family Enrichment Program for families experiencing being unhoused in Louisville. This role provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with children in a trauma-informed, strengths-based environment while making a meaningful impact on families facing housing instability.


Interns will engage directly with children and parents, helping to create a safe, enriching space while caregivers work with case managers to access housing and vital resources. Interns will lead activities, support positive behavior, and help maintain a warm, welcoming classroom environment. This position is ideal for students pursuing degrees in education, child development, psychology, or social work who want to build practical skills, receive mentorship, and contribute to real change in the community.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead engaging and educational enrichment activities for children

  • Support children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs

  • Create a nurturing and inclusive environment that reflects trauma-informed practices

  • Assist with daily routines, transitions, snack time, and group engagement

  • Collaborate with the UP team to ensure children’s physical and emotional safety

  • Observe behavior and developmental cues, contributing insights that support case management and educational referrals

  • Maintain a clean and welcoming space, with attention to health, safety, and organization


What You’ll Gain

  • Practical experience in early education and trauma-informed care

  • Exposure to nonprofit operations and multidisciplinary team collaboration

  • Mentorship from experienced professionals in education and social services

  • Experience supporting children navigating housing insecurity and systemic barrier

  • A $500 stipend to honor your time and contribution

  • A résumé booster and meaningful summer experience rooted in purpose and community impact


Qualifications

  • Actively pursuing a degree in education, child development, psychology, social work, or a related field

  • Experience working or volunteering with children preferred

  • Understanding of child behavior, learning differences and applying trauma-informed practices

  • Strong communication skills, compassion, and cultural humility

  • Willingness to take initiative and grow with guidance in a supportive, team-based setting

  • Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis and lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds 

  • Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs

  • Must be patient, playful, dependable—and okay with the occasional Goldfish cracker stuck to your pant

Summer Education Internship

To Apply: 

Please send your resume and a short paragraph about your interest in this role to:

Julie Padgett, Operations Director

julie@uplouisville.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other legally protected status.