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Youth Leadership Program

The world is becoming a smaller place: to answer the challenges ahead, the youth of the United States and other developed countries must assume the role of global citizens and leaders, engaging the world around them with responsibility and courage. In an increasingly competitive environment, they also need a platform to show their initiative and ensure their future success. DCI’s Youth Leadership Program is a unique opportunity for motivated youth in the United States and beyond to work toward a prosperous future while at the same time making a direct impact on a child in need.

Get Started

Your journey to becoming a young humanitarian leader begins here! Follow the steps below to join our team and start making a difference.

  • Choose a position. DCI’s Youth Leadership Program offers two types of positions for aspiring volunteers:
Volunteer Position
Internship
  • Youth Leader positions are open to all applicants from middle school to recent college graduates. This position is a great way to get involved in non-profit work with a lower level of commitment, while gaining valuable experience for college and job applications.
  • College students and recent graduates can also apply for a DCI Internship, which involves a greater commitment and offers the opportunity to spearhead your own project. This position is designed for those who are seeking to build a strong resume and pursue a career in humanitarian work.
  • Review the responsibilities, expectations, and requirements for your position.
  • Click the Apply button to begin the program application.

Youth Leaders

The Youth Leader position is offered to motivated volunteers who wish to participate in humanitarian work on a flexible timeline and schedule.

Who Can Apply

  • High school students
  • College/university students
  • Recent graduates
  • Middle school students (with parent supervisor)
  • All other motivated young adults

Youth from all parts of the United States and other countries are welcome to apply. Local youth are encouraged to work at DCI’s office in Cheshire, CT.

Youth Leaders should show strong initiative and have the ability to work independently, particularly if working remotely.

Apply for a DCI Youth Leadership Position

What You’ll Do

  • Youth Leaders choose from a range of tasks based on their skills and interests. Examples of tasks include research, editing, data entry…
  • Child Sponsorship Campaign: Youth Leaders create and manage a personal child sponsorship campaign, with a target goal of $200 to sponsor an underprivileged child. This component introduces you to the process of fundraising, which is at the core of any humanitarian initiative’s success. It also links your success to that of an underprivileged child, providing you a platform to change a life through your effort. By completing your sponsorship campaign, you are given a tangible outcome to display your leadership capacity on resumes and applications.

What You’ll Receive

  • Certificate of completion
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Validation of service hours for school clubs or academic programs
  • Recognition at DCI’s Conference on Child Rights & Sight at Yale University
  • Confidence, greater self-discipline and empathy, and a sense of accomplishment

Responsibilities & Expectations

  • Taking Initiative: The goal of DCI’s Youth Leadership Program is to instill personal responsibility and leadership capacity in working toward humanitarian causes. Youth Leaders are expected to take initiative and apply themselves to advance DCI’s mission. DCI’s staff will provide guidance and advice as needed; however, the ultimate responsibility for the success of the position lies with the Youth Leader.
  • Commitment: Youth Leaders work at their own pace but are expected to commit a minimum of 60 service hours for DCI.

Requirements to Receive Certificate & Recommendation

DCI Youth Leadership positions are designed to challenge young volunteers and inspire discipline, initiative, and long-term commitment. Accordingly, before receiving a certificate of completion for the program and letter of recommendation, participants must present tangible evidence of their contributions to DCI’s mission:

  • To be eligible for a certificate of completion and letter of recommendation, Youth Leaders must complete the minimum 60 service hours, validated by DCI.
  • Youth Leaders must also complete a successful fundraising campaign to sponsor a child (raising a minimum of $200).
  • DCI is a volunteer operated organization and relies heavily on social network for publicity and promotions. All DCI volunteers are expected to promote DCI mission and activity related post in their own network and social media

Interns

DCI Internships are offered to qualified applicants seeking a more structured and intensive introduction to humanitarian work. Internship positions have a duration of at least 1 month, with interns working a pledged number of service hours on a weekly basis.

Who Can Apply

  • College/university students
  • Recent graduates
  • Highly qualified high school students who show strong motivation and commitment

Interns must be able to complete the agreed upon number of weekly service hours consistently throughout the duration of their internship position. Due to the hands-on and collaborative nature of internship projects, applicants who are able to work locally at DCI’s office in Cheshire, CT are preferred.

Internship positions are limited based on available projects. If an internship is not available, applicants will be offered a Youth Leader position.

Apply for a DCI Internship

What You’ll Do

  • Personal Project:As a DCI Intern, you’ll be given the opportunity to spearhead your own project to assist DCI’s mission. You’ll work semi-independently to complete your project over the course of your internship, with regular supervision and guidance provided by DCI’s staff.
  • Child Sponsorship Campaign: Interns create and manage a personal child sponsorship campaign, with a target goal of $200 to sponsor an underprivileged child. This component introduces you to the process of fundraising, which is at the core of any humanitarian initiative’s success. It also links your success to that of an underprivileged child, providing you a platform to change a life through your effort. By completing your sponsorship campaign, you are given a tangible outcome to display your leadership capacity on resumes and applications.

What You’ll Receive

  • Certificate of completion
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Validation of service hours for school clubs or academic programs
  • Recognition at DCI’s Conference on Child Rights & Sight at Yale University
  • Confidence, greater self-discipline and empathy, and a sense of accomplishment

Responsibilities & Expectations

  • Taking Initiative: The goal of DCI’s Youth Leadership Program is to instill personal responsibility and leadership capacity in working toward humanitarian causes. Interns are expected to take ownership of their own project to advance DCI’s mission. DCI’s staff will provide guidance and advice; however, the ultimate responsibility for the success of the project lies with the Intern.
  • Commitment: Interns are expected to make a commitment of at least 1 month and complete an agreed upon number of service hours for DCI on a regular weekly basis.

Requirements to Receive Certificate & Recommendation

DCI Internship positions are designed to challenge young volunteers and inspire discipline, initiative, and long-term commitment. Accordingly, before receiving a certificate of completion for the program and letter of recommendation, participants must present tangible evidence of their contributions to DCI’s mission:

  • To be eligible for a certificate of completion and letter of recommendation, Interns must complete their weekly pledged service hours consistently over the course of the internship (minimum 1 month), with all hours validated by DCI.
  • Youth Leaders must also complete a successful fundraising campaign to sponsor a child (raising a minimum of $200).
  • DCI is a volunteer operated organization and relies heavily on social network for publicity and promotions. All DCI volunteers are expected to promote DCI mission and activity related post in their own network and social media
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85% of our total operating expenses fund programs for children. So the majority of your dollars go toward exactly what you intended - supporting children in poverty.

DISTRESSED CHILDREN & INFANTS INTERNATIONAL, INC

50 Church Street, 5th Floor, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Phone/SMS/WhatsApp/Viber: +1 (203) 376-6351 or +1 (875) 292-9186, E-mail: dci[at]distressedchildren.org
DCI is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Charitable Organization (Tax ID: 810671495)

TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COPY RIGHT @2023