Community & Family Health Policy Internship Remote
Community & Family Health Policy Internship
Voice Up Publishing, Inc.
THREE PARTICIPATION OPTIONS:
VOLUNTEER: Up to 10 hours/week Flexible schedule Community service focus
ACADEMIC CREDIT: Hours based on university requirements Earn up to 6 credits maximum Structured learning
PAID STIPEND: 10-15 hours/week minimum Subject to funding availability Compensation provided
SPECIALIZED FOCUS AREAS: Choose Your Impact
Homelessness: Students & families experiencing housing insecurity
Student Athletes: Mental health support for collegiate and high school athletes
Environmental Justice: Mental health impacts of environmental challenges
Criminal Justice: Support for individuals and families affected by incarceration
Family Systems: Mental health resources for families in crisis
Creative Arts & Mental Health: Music, visual arts, dance, theater, and creative expression therapy
Game Design Innovation: Mental health awareness through interactive gaming and digital experiences
MENTOR RECRUITMENT: Help us find mentors for 1-on-1 support (5 hours/week commitment)
Location: Remote with local community work
Duration: 3-12+ months
Reports To: Community Advocate / Regional Champion
About Voice Up Publishing
Voice Up began with a simple mission: connecting people to purpose. In less than one year, we've reached over 30,000 people across 3,540 cities in 122 countries and have begun translating all of our strategies into multiple languages to be shared with the world. We help people, programs, communities, and local governments transform how mental health awareness is made real, localized to the culture of each neighborhood (from Los Angeles to London to New Delhi).
Our Priority Focus: We're committed to addressing mental health challenges in specialized populations that often lack adequate support. Each intern chooses a focus area where they can make the greatest impact:
Homelessness & Housing Insecurity: Supporting college students and families experiencing homelessness with mental health resources and practical guidance
Student Athlete Mental Health: Addressing unique pressures, performance anxiety, injury recovery, and career transitions for athletes
Environmental Justice: Supporting communities affected by environmental challenges and their mental health impacts
Criminal Justice: Providing mental health support for individuals and families affected by incarceration, reentry, and justice system involvement
Family Systems: Helping families in crisis navigate mental health resources and strengthen supportive relationships
Creative Arts & Mental Health: Using music, visual arts, dance, and theater as therapeutic tools and mental health awareness platforms
Game Design Innovation: Developing interactive games and digital experiences that raise mental health awareness and provide engaging support tools
Our Success:
We started with a goal of reaching 100 US cities
We reached 2,721 US cities (27 times our goal!)
On average our community spends 9.5 minutes per visit engaging with our tools, resources, and personalized strategies.
We have a strong presence in India, Nigeria, UK, Canada, and are growing globally
Our Future Goals:
Expand to 5,000+ cities worldwide
Reach 150+ countries
Partner with 500+ colleges and universities
Build sustainable mental health resources for communities
Create specialized support networks across all focus areas
Train 1,000+ mentors for direct one-on-one support in each specialty area
Core Values:
Collaboration - Working together for bigger impact
Humility - Approaching mental health with respect
Precision - Providing accurate, helpful information
Patience - Understanding change takes time
Empathy - Creating safe spaces for everyone
What You'll Do
All Participants Will:
Learn about mental health awareness and community engagement
Share Voice Up resources in your community
Attend monthly training sessions
Provide feedback on what works in your area
Build skills in public health and advocacy
Choose Your Focus: Specialize in one area (homelessness, student athletes, environmental justice, criminal justice, family systems, creative arts, or game design innovation)
Mentor Recruitment: Help identify and train community mentors for one-on-one support in your chosen focus area
Based on Your Track:
Volunteer Track (Up to 10 hours/week):
Share resources on social media
Attend virtual events and training
Help research local mental health resources
Support community events when possible
Focus Area Work: Connect with organizations in your chosen specialty (shelters, athletic departments, environmental groups, justice programs, family service centers, arts organizations, gaming communities)
Mentor Outreach: Recruit community volunteers for mentor training program in your focus area
Academic Credit Track (University hours requirement):
Complete structured learning program
Work with experienced mentors
Conduct community research project focused on your chosen population
Create final report for academic credit
Present findings to Voice Up team
Special Project: Develop resources specific to your focus area (campus resources for homeless students, mental health guides for athletes, creative arts therapy programs, mental health awareness games, etc.)
Stipend Track (10-15 hours/week minimum, based on available funding):
We are a crowdfunded community providing all of the following services:
Lead community workshops with support
Build partnerships with local organizations in your focus area
Create educational materials for your specialty population
Mentor newer participants
Take on independent projects
Direct Support: Help coordinate mentor matches and provide ongoing support to mentoring relationships in your chosen area
What We're Looking For
Education:
Current student or recent graduate
Any major welcome (Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Communications, etc.)
Interest in mental health or community work
Skills:
Good communication (writing and speaking)
Comfortable with social media and technology
Open to learning about different cultures
Reliable and organized
Team player attitude
Preferred: Experience with or sensitivity to your chosen focus area
Valued: Ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and challenging circumstances
Personal Qualities:
Genuine care for others' wellbeing
Ability to handle sensitive topics professionally
Flexible and adaptable
Self-motivated
Interested in making a difference
Essential: Non-judgmental approach to supporting vulnerable populations
Important: Comfortable with challenging conversations and complex life situations
Time Commitment:
Volunteer: Up to 10 hours/week, flexible schedule
Academic Credit: Based on your university's requirements
Stipend: 10-15 hours/week minimum (when funding available)
What You'll Gain
All Participants Get:
Professional mentorship
Mental health advocacy training
Specialized Training: Intensive program on supporting your chosen population and handling difficult conversations
Mentor Training Certification: Learn to guide others in recruiting and training community mentors in your focus area
Flexible remote work
Technology platform access
Professional networking opportunities
Reference letters
Potential pathway to full-time job
Additional Benefits by Track:
Volunteer: Recognition certificates, first priority for paid opportunities, specialized resource toolkit for your focus area
Academic Credit: Academic supervision, portfolio development, university credit, specialized research opportunities in your chosen area
Stipend: Monthly pay ($500-1,500), project budget, priority for full-time positions, mentor coordination responsibilities in your specialty
How to Apply
Submit These Items:
Cover Letter: Why are you interested in mental health advocacy? What mental health needs do you see in your community?
Resume: Include school, work, volunteer experience
Focus Area Selection: Choose your primary area of interest:
Homelessness & Housing Insecurity
Student Athlete Mental Health
Environmental Justice & Mental Health
Criminal Justice & Reentry Support
Family Systems & Crisis Support
Creative Arts & Mental Health (Music, Visual Arts, Dance, Theater)
Game Design Innovation for Mental Health Awareness
Track Preference: Which participation option works best for you and why?
Volunteer
Academic Credit
Potential for Stipend
Focus Area Experience: Describe your interest in and/or experience with your chosen focus area
Time Availability: When can you participate and for how long?
Two References: Professors, supervisors, or community leaders
Selection Process:
Application review
30-minute video interview
Simple project exercise
Reference check
2-week training program
Start Dates:
Applications accepted monthly
Apply by the 15th to start the following month
Academic credit timing can align with your semester
Path to Full-Time Employment
Outstanding participants from ANY track can become full-time employees based on:
Quality of work and community impact
Professional growth and leadership skills
Alignment with Voice Up values
Available positions in your area
Full-time positions include competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and equity participation opportunities.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join a growing movement that's transforming mental health awareness worldwide. Whether you have 5 hours a week or 15, we have a place for you.
Perfect for students and recent graduates who want to:
Gain real experience in mental health advocacy
Build professional skills while helping others
Explore careers in public health or social impact
Join a proven organization with clear growth
Develop a pathway to meaningful full-time work
Make a direct difference in specialized populations that need targeted support
Learn specialized skills in supporting vulnerable communities
Build mentoring networks that create lasting change in your chosen focus area
Apply today and start connecting people to purpose!
Voice Up Publishing, Inc. - Founded November 12, 2024 - Connecting People to Purpose
Equal Opportunity: We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We especially encourage people with lived experience in mental health challenges or personal experience with any of our focus areas to apply, as authentic understanding strengthens our mission.
Voice Up Mentor Program
Help Us Build Specialized Networks of Community Mentors
As part of your internship, you'll help recruit volunteers willing to commit 5 hours per week to provide one-on-one support to individuals in your chosen focus area.
What Mentors Do:
Have personalized conversations with people in their specialty area
Provide emotional support and practical guidance tailored to specific challenges
Help individuals make informed decisions about their situations
Connect people to specialized resources and services
Focus Area Examples:
Homelessness: Help with housing navigation, basic needs, and stability planning
Student Athletes: Support with performance pressure, injury recovery, and career transitions
Environmental Justice: Address climate anxiety, displacement stress, and community advocacy
Criminal Justice: Assist with reentry challenges, family reunification, and system navigation
Family Systems: Support family communication, crisis management, and resource coordination
Creative Arts: Guide artistic expression as therapy, creative workshops for mental health, and arts-based community healing
Game Design Innovation: Develop interactive mental health tools, gaming communities for peer support, and digital wellness platforms
Mentor Training Includes:
Intensive Voice Up training program on challenging conversations
Specialized training for your focus area
Crisis intervention techniques
Boundary setting and self-care
Resource navigation and referral skills
Trauma-informed communication approaches
Your Role in Mentor Recruitment:
Identify potential mentors in your community who have interest/experience in your focus area
Present the mentoring opportunity to interested volunteers (artists, musicians, dancers, theater professionals, game developers, etc.)
Support the application and training process
Help coordinate mentor-client matches based on specialty needs and creative interests
Provide ongoing support to mentoring relationships
This specialized mentor network creates lasting change by providing consistent, knowledgeable support to people facing specific challenges while utilizing the healing power of creative expression and innovative digital tools.