About 70 undergraduate, graduate and recent graduates intern in the CDF Washington, D.C. office each year gaining knowledge, skills, and experience for a lifetime commitment as a child advocate and public policy leader while obtaining an insider's view of non-profit advocacy.
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Stories
Kyrah Brown
Kyrah is a junior at Spelman College in Atlanta. After graduation she plans to enroll in a Clinical Psychology graduate program. Read more
Stories
Mia Dunlap
Mia is a junior at Spelman College majoring in English. Mia plans to participate in Teach for America and attend law school. Read more
Stories
Lisa Snider
Lisa is a sophomore at Wellesley College majoring in Sociology. She is also an aspiring journalist. Read more
Stories
Jena Agler
Jena earned a degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University. After her internship at CDF, Jena will begin law school and plans to practice child advocacy or international guardianship law. Read more
Stories
Amy Bross
A Public Health major at Johns Hopkins University, Amy is focused on the social justice, education and social needs of children. Read more
Stories
David Poms
David is a Sociology major at Davidson College. After graduation he plans to join the Peace Corps or Teach for America. Read more
Stories
Yi Duo
Yi attends American University where she is majoring in Accounting and Finance. A native of China, Yi is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin and proficient in Japanese. Read more
Stories
Jessica Kawamura
Jessica graduated from Brown University with degrees in Ethnic Studies and Public Policy. She currently attends UC Berkeley. Read more
Stories
Madison Shimoda
Madison grew up in Tokyo, Japan and aspires to become an international human rights lawyer. Currently, Madison is a Junior at Claremont McKenna college in California. Read more
Stories
Tytianna Wells
Tytiana is a senior at University of Louisville and double majoring in Pan African Studies and English. Tytiana is a former CDF Freedom Schools® Servant Leader intern. Read more
Stories
Davena Mgbeokwere
Davena graduated from Stanford University and aspires to get a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Social Work. She has been a youth advocate since the ninth grade. Read more
Stories
Samantha Beebout
Samantha currently attends Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania where is a teacher's aide at a local high school as well as the organizer of a K-8 community tutoring program. Read more
Internship Program
About 70 undergraduate, graduate and recent graduates intern in the CDF Washington, D.C. office each year and while a few of the internships give preference to certain majors everyone with a strong interest in child advocacy is encouraged to apply. CDF interns gain knowledge, skills, and experience for a lifetime commitment as a child advocate and public policy leader. They also get an insider's view of non-profit advocacy. Additionally, former interns stay active in CDF's mission through the CDF Intern Alumni Action Network. Our state and regional offices also offer internships. Interested individuals should contact each office directly for more information.
Timeframe
Types of Internships
Application Information & Guidelines
Housing Information
Financial Support
Educational Programs for CDF Interns
Recent CDF Interns
Contact Information
Timeframe
Internships usually last between 8-12 weeks, but some interns stay longer or leave earlier. There are no set start or end dates to internships. Typical internship timeframes:
| Term | Timeframe |
| Summer | June-August |
| Fall | September-December |
| Winter/Spring | January-May |
Housing Information
CDF is not able to provide or arrange housing to interns, but the CDF Internship Program Office can offer assistance to students interested in information about affordable housing options and locations. When searching for housing, keep in mind proximity to public transportation and neighborhood safety.
Helpful Intern Housing Websites
- Washington, D.C. Metro System
The Children's Defense Fund is located near Union Station, serviced by the Red Line Metro Rail. - Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH)
- Capitol Hill Stay
- The Washington Center
- Institute for Experiential Learning
Universities Offering Intern Housing
- Trinity College
- Catholic University
- George Washington University
- American University
- Howard University
Financial Support
CDF's Internships in Washington, D.C. are unpaid.
Applicants in need of financial aid to support their internship are encouraged to explore potential funding sources through the career services or alumni offices on their campus. Many colleges offer scholarships, stipends, or off-campus work-study to facilitate participation in public interest internships. It is wise to begin your search for an internship as early as possible if finances are a concern.
Educational Programs for Interns
Educational and training programs highlight trends and issues in the child advocacy and public policy fields. These programs help CDF interns understand their role as servant leaders and advocates, and they equip interns to act in their communities after leaving CDF.
Programs and activities may include:
- lunchtime seminars
- team-projects and presentations
- a CDF Child Watch and Advocacy Day
- programs and workshops that address career planning and post-Internship engagement with CDF
- tracks for service-learning and reflection
- public policy events and programs
- social activities
Contact Information
Internship Coordinator
Children's Defense Fund
25 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-628-8787
Fax: 202-662-3570
Email: cdf_interns@childrensdefense.org
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