Internships and Leadership Programs

In this role, a select group of young adults serves as role models and leaders of The Center’s Youth Clubhouse. Peer Coaches work to enhance the wellness of our community by raising awareness of substance use issues and providing peer assistance and education. Peer Coaches also provide one-on-one support and organize and lead fun and meaningful groups, field trips, and events.

In partnership with Broadway for Arts Education (BAE), Center BAE uses arts education to dismantle systemic barriers to success for underserved youth. Center BAE brings a culturally responsive and decolonized approach to arts education to LGBTQ+ youth in NYC.

Are you an LGBTQ+ young person looking to learn about career options, build work skills, and get support with the college selection process? In READY, participants create a professional resume, develop a school/work portfolio, improve letter writing and interviewing skills, networking strategies, and learn how to “dress for success.” Center Youth staff work with participants to find placement in a paid community internship to gain real-life experience!

Bring your passion for social justice to learn about power, privilege, identity, and oppression through hands-on activities, group discussions, films, and more. Gain skills such as workshop facilitation, organizing, and outreach around issues important to your community. The internship culminates with a youth-led, community-wide event on the chosen social justice topic.

The Center’s School Ambassadors for Educational Equity (SAFE 2) Program is a 25-week paid internship that trains young adults ages 18-30 who are authorized to work in the US to work directly with NYC high schools to create safe and equitable learning environments for LGBTQ+ students. In addition to this work, interns receive professional development training and career support, as well as the opportunity to create their own capstone passion project.

Open Enrollment for this program happens every August. Please check back then to apply, or email crodriguessherley@gaycenter.org for more information.

Family Group Leaders are trained in conflict resolution, group facilitation, stress management, and identity and oppression to provide peer support during the summer camp. In selecting FGLs, Center staff generally look for youth who have been campers before or who have already participated in youth leadership programs.

Unity Works is a career development program funded by DYCD and The City of New York. It is the largest and most comprehensive workforce development program ever created to support homeless and runaway LGBTQIA+ youth.

Youth enrolled in the Youth Leadership through the Arts program will explore themes related to self-identity, social justice, and making meaning through the arts. The program will integrate the arts and focus on skill-building, mental health, and restorative practices for youth to develop their unique voices through an embodied experience.

GET IT fellowship (Getting Employed Through Industry Training) is a unique training program offered by Center Works open to individuals 18-30. It connects our community members to meaningful long-term employment opportunities through career training and internships.

The fellowship provides direct, onsite work experience at a safe and inclusive host company in a field related to the Fellows’ chosen career path. Upon completion, Fellows will have acquired the skills necessary to qualify for an entry-level position within that industry and will have built a professional network. Each fellowship includes a capstone project on a topic that is meaningful to the fellow, and their host company, helping to develop and augment Fellows’ resumes. Learn more about the GET IT Fellowship.