CCHD Internships

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development in collaboration with the Secretariat of Justice and Peace funds a number of stipend-provided summer, semester, and academic year-long internships for Catholics in the United States to gain experience working with and for the poor. These internships occur in around fifteen dioceses in the United States. The internship can be hosted in a diocesan peace and justice or related office, on a college campus in collaboration with a diocese, or at a group funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).  

The focus of the internship will be on sharing the Church’s social mission and showcasing CCHD activity as a key way the Church builds solidarity and accompanies people who are poor and vulnerable. The internship provides practical experience and an opportunity to learn and educate about CCHD, to develop relationships with community leaders, and to engage in reflection on Catholic social teaching alongside a cohort of peer interns. 

Intern Funding Application (for Diocesan Directors/Coordinators)

Application Process for Interns

First, contact your local diocesan director to find out if your diocese has applied for funding for the upcoming academic year. A diocese may choose to designate another office or organization to host the intern. Applications are accepted locally and on a local timeline, usually in Spring. Applicants should directly contact the diocesan office or host site to apply and to inquire about the status of applications. For additional questions, please contact us. 

  1. If you are applying to intern locally, find your diocesan CCHD office contact info at this link, and get in touch with them about whether they have been awarded a grant. Please note that if you are applying at multiple offices, you must send your materials to each office separately.
  2. If you are interested in applying for an internship with CCHD at the USCCB in Washington, DC, send application and resume to Emily Schumacher-Novak.

CCHD Diocesan Internships

The dioceses offering CCHD Internships change each year. You may wish to contact your diocese directly to inquire about whether they have been awarded a CCHD funded internship this year. Your interest could encourage participation by your diocese. 

Due to the diversity of placements that are available, specific duties for the internships will vary. The intern will work with the placement site to develop a work plan based on the needs of the CCHD office or funded group and the skills and interests of the intern. Duties could include but are not limited to:

  • understand and educate about the work of building solidarity with low -income communities
  • learn and share about the Two Feet of Love approach to living out the Gospel 
  • promotion of the CCHD Annual Collection
  • project monitoring and evaluation of CCHD grants
  • letter and article writing
  • parish or school-based presentation, training, and outreach projects
  • research, analysis, or feasibility studies
  • relationship-building with CCHD- funded groups and other community development projects
  • learn and share about Catholic social teaching

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Apply?

CCHD internships are open to Catholics in the United States who have leadership abilities, community service experience, and effective writing/communication skills. Openness to the CCHD values of solidarity building, participation of the poor, and Catholic social teaching is essential.

Low-income people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Time Commitment

In general, internship funding is for approximately 10-20 hours/week during the school year and 20-40 hours/week during the summer. However, the actual number of hours funded varies by diocese.  Interns must also be available to attend an expense-paid orientation in Washington, DC at the end of May each year. Interns also will meet for monthly virtual meetings with national leaders in Catholic justice and peace initiatives, and for prayer and community building.

Compensation Provided

Compensation is between $15-20/hour based on local factors. 

What is CCHD?

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops.

Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.

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