Summer Equity and Lived Experience Innovation Fellowship

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (the Alliance) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. The Alliance uses data and research to identify solutions to homelessness; works with Congress and the Administration to support and advance these solutions; and helps communities to implement the solutions. Recognizing the disproportionality of people of color who experience homelessness and the socioeconomic disparities that cause this, its work is grounded in equity and justice. 

If you are committed to helping the nation SOLVE the problem of homelessness, consider joining the Alliance. 

What we are looking for: 

The Alliance seeks a talented Summer Equity & Lived Experience Innovation Fellow (June 8- August 14)committed to helping end homelessness through federal policy and improved programs and practice. A Summer Equity & Lived Experience Innovation
Fellow will be part of an internship cohort at the Alliance as part of the Equity team which includes the Lived Experience Innovation portfolio of work. The Alliance’s Equity team ensures that anti-racism, equity,  justice, and lived experience are centered throughout the organization and reflected in the outcomes of the organization’s efforts to end homelessness. They work closely with people with lived experience to ensure their voices are anchored throughout the Alliance’s work. 

The internship cohort will include opportunities to collaborate with senior staff, access and interact with national partners, attend external events in the Washington, DC area, and participate in the Alliance’s annual National Conference on Ending Homelessness. We seek candidates with high energy, excellent organizational and communications skills, and an interest in homelessness and housing. Successful interns will value close collaboration with team members but will also be self-motivated and able to work independently. 

What you will do: 

A Summer Equity & Lived Experience Innovation
Fellow will assist in projects with the Equity team as well as support efforts around the Alliance’s National Conference on Ending Homelessness in July. Candidates should indicate which of those areas are of most interest to them and should describe the experience and skills they would bring to projects in those areas. 

Responsibilities will vary based on the candidate’s interests and experience, as well as the areas the Alliance is working on at the time: 

• Work closely with the Director of Lived Experience and Innovation to assist with activities related to the Community Strategic Team (CST), a body of experts with lived experience of homelessness. 

• Assist with coordinating scholarship recipients and advocates with lived experience of homelessness at the July National Conference. 

• Assist the Chief Equity Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer in engaging and partnering with civil rights organizations, including attending meetings and performing outreach. 

• Work with the organization’s internal Equity Committee to support the equity and justice work of the organization, with particular attention to internal objectives related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. 

We are looking for candidates with:  

• Candidates with prior life experience or work experience in homeless or low-income communities, communities of color, and/or LGBTQ communities are encouraged to apply. 

• Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following areas: public policy analysis, communications, anti-racism/equity and justice work, and relationship building with individuals and groups, all focused on homelessness and poverty issues. 

• Demonstrated experience and ability to recognize and respond to the ways race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity intersect to further promote racial equity and social justice. 

• Demonstrated interest in working with marginalized or vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, etc.). 

• Previous research, data, and/or outreach experience. 

• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to pursue own projects and meet deadlines with limited supervision. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

• Proficiency with digital technologies (for interns on communications projects), including video editing and graphic editing is a plus. 

What we can offer you: 

The Alliance is a strong, flexible team of professionals that works collaboratively to achieve its mission of preventing and ending homelessness in the nation. We offer interns a supportive work environment in which they receive opportunities to contribute to and direct activities that align with their learning goals in the pursuit of solutions to a national social problem.  

Additional benefits include: 

• 3 paid vacation days and 2 paid sick leave days during the 10-week period of June 8-August 14 (leave pro-rated based on start and end dates)  

• Paid Federal Holidays 

How to Apply: 

We accept online applications only. Please visit our Careers page at https://naeh.bamboohr.com/careers

Include resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample (no more than three pages, can be an excerpt from a larger work)

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.

The Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.