2026 Roots of Resilience Internship Application Form
  • Roots of Resilience is a trauma-informed, youth-centered program designed to support the mental well-being and leadership development of middle and high school students. The program runs from February through April and meets once per month, with additional sessions for high school participants.

    Students participate in structured, age-appropriate sessions focused on mental wellness, self-care, emotional regulation, growth mindset, and community connection. Sessions are facilitated in a supportive, high-touch environment that prioritizes student safety, respect, and engagement.

    High school students take part in an additional monthly session focused on digital storytelling and youth-led advocacy, where they learn how to responsibly use their voice through content creation aligned with Maya’s Love’s values. These sessions are designed to build confidence, communication skills, and civic awareness.

    The program intentionally limits cohort size to allow for meaningful mentorship and individualized support. High school participants may receive a stipend for completed internship work, and all participants receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.

    Attendance and participation are essential to the success of the cohort model. Families and students are asked to carefully review session dates and commit to full participation prior to applying.

    Please set aside about 15–20 minutes to complete this application.

  • Education

  • Below is the schedule of program sessions and focus areas. Some sessions are open to all participants, while others are designed specifically for high school students (HS). Please review the dates and topics carefully to understand the flow of the program and expectations.


    📅 SESSION SCHEDULE 
    7 February (All Participants): Mental Health, Identity & Digital Responsibility
    An introductory session focused on self-awareness, emotional well-being, and responsible digital engagement.

    21 February (High School Only): Digital Storytelling Lab: Mental Health Messaging
    A hands-on lab exploring how storytelling and media can be used to responsibly communicate mental health experiences and awareness.

    7 March (All Participants): Self-Care, Leadership, Advocacy & Community
    Participants will explore personal leadership, community responsibility, and sustainable self-care practices.

    21 March (High School Only): Digital Storytelling Lab: Advocacy & Leadership
    This session builds skills in advocacy-focused storytelling, leadership voice, and ethical digital expression.

    4 April (All Participants): Service, Creation & Reflection A collaborative session centered on service, creative expression, and reflection on community impact.

    18 April (High School Only): Digital Storytelling Lab: Impact & Reflection
    Participants will reflect on their storytelling work, evaluate impact, and prepare for closing presentations.

    2 May (All Participants): Closing Ceremony
    A culminating gathering to celebrate growth, learning, and collective impact.

  • Wellness, Growth & Reflection

  • High School Applicants Only (if you are a middle school student skip this part)

    High school students participate in Digital Storytelling Labs focused on mental health, leadership, advocacy, and reflection. This includes creating youth-safe, values-aligned content.
  • Support & Safety

  • Parent/Guardian Information

  • Student Final Acknowledgment

  • Should be Empty: