CCHD Internships
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development 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 twenty five CCHD diocesan offices in the United States.
CCHD internships combine practical work experience to carry out the mandate of CCHD at the local level with opportunities to develop relationships with community leaders and engage in reflection on Catholic social teaching alongside a cohort of peer interns.
CCHD 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. Applications are accepted by the diocese and on a local timeline, usually in early Spring. Diocesan applicants should directly contact the diocesan office to which they applied to inquire about the status of applications. For additional questions, please contact us.
- If you are applying to intern in a diocesan office, send materials to the diocesan CCHD office(s) where you would like to intern. Find diocesan CCHD office contact info at this link. Please note that if you are applying at multiple offices, you must send your materials to each office separately.
- 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:
- 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
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.