Life in the Light Leadership Internship 100% Remote
VOICE UP LIFE IN THE LIGHT PURPOSE PATHWAY INTERNSHIP
Exploring Purpose at the Intersection of Faith, Mental Health, and Youth Leadership
Voice Up invites students to explore how faith-based leaders activate the Fruits of the Spirit to transform youth mental health. This 8-12 week internship connects scripture-inspired wisdom, authentic storytelling, and Christ-like principles to transformative work in suicide prevention, peer support, and student leadership addressing the crisis where suicide became the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14, over 20% of teens have considered suicide, and African American youth ages 10-24 show the fastest rising rates (36% increase since 2022).
THE CRISIS WE ADDRESS: Rural teens are twice as likely to consider suicide. African American youth ages 5-12 are twice as likely to die by suicide. Through Building Caring Families methodology, students learn to lead Student Leadership Academies that mobilize peers, lift up Christ-like principles, and reduce mental health stigma in their communities.
PROGRAM FOUNDATION
Fuller Method reflective mentoring and narrative identity development
B Curriculum for clarity, self-discovery, and meaning-making
Voice Up's Five Core Principles
Fruits of the Spirit as leadership framework (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
Scripture-inspired devotionals and reflection
LEARNING GOALS
Students develop: Understanding of youth mental health advocacy as purpose-oriented calling shaped by God's love and the Fruits of the Spirit • Connection between personal faith journey and opportunities to serve peers struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation • Critical skills in peer counseling, spiritual mentorship, suicide prevention, community mobilization, Christ-like communication, and stigma reduction • Purpose-based peer support initiatives, student-led mental health campaigns, faith-based wellness programs, and community outreach events • Professional identity through narrative writing, mentorship, scripture study, and reflective practice
INTERNSHIP STRUCTURE
Weeks 1-2: Living in the Light B Curriculum, personal faith and mental health narrative, Fuller Method mentoring, Fruits of the Spirit leadership framework, scripture study (Matthew 5:14-16, Galatians 5:22-23), reflection on being the light in community
Weeks 3-4: Understanding Youth Mental Health Crisis Teen suicide statistics and stigma, faith-based approaches to mental wellness, cultural humility (rural youth, African American youth), mini-literature review, peer support and active listening techniques
Weeks 5-6: Designing Student-Led Solutions Systems mapping (schools, churches, community organizations, peer networks), Student Leadership Academy planning, designing student-led mental health initiatives, mentor session on call to action strategies
Weeks 7-8: Your Life in the Light Blueprint Capstone design, mental health awareness campaign or student leadership toolkit, contribution to Purpose Library
Optional Weeks 9-12: Advanced Track Research on youth suicide prevention, Student Leadership Academy evaluation, grant writing for faith-based programs, presentations to church leaders and school administrators
KEY DELIVERABLES
Life in the Light Identity Statement integrating faith journey with youth mental health leadership commitment
Community Mental Health Map visualizing how faith communities, schools, families, and peer networks support mental wellness
Fruits of the Spirit Leadership Brief applying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to real-world mental health challenges
Purpose-based project: Student Leadership Academy for mental health awareness, peer support network grounded in faith principles, church-based youth mental wellness initiative, or scripture-inspired devotional series for students in crisis
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MODEL: Students collaborate 4-8 weeks before community events, develop leadership skills using Fruits of the Spirit, improve critical thinking and communication, implement community outreach raising mental health awareness, and create calls to action including: mini student-led projects, mobilization of friends, lifting up Christ-like principles, sharing lessons learned, and repeating impact.
PARTICIPATION & ALIGNMENT
Three Pathways: Academic Credit • Volunteer Service • Voice Up University (all receive equal quality mentorship and purpose development)
Professional Standards: CDC suicide prevention best practices, American Association of Suicidology (AAS) frameworks, National Association of Christian Counselors (NACC), Association of Youth Mental Health (AYMH) peer support guidelines
Career Pathways: Peer counselors, youth ministers, mental health advocates, faith-based social workers, school counselors, Building Caring Families leaders
Biblical Foundation: All programs are Bible-based, centering Matthew 5:14-16 ("You are the light of the world"), integrating devotionals inspired by scripture study, and grounded in Building Caring Families mission: transforming how families embrace and build healthier lives.
Industry: Faith-Based Mental Health & Youth Leadership Type: Academic Credit Internship
Building Caring Families