CCI Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern Application

Welcome to the Servant Leader Intern application process! This application is designed to provide Cross Community, Inc. (CCI) with all relevant information and documentation. If you have any other questions or any issues with this application email freedom.school@crosscommunityinc.org or call (609) 293-5343.

CCI meets community and individual needs by providing opportunity for advancement, access to resources, and collaboration throughout the greater Trenton Area. As a sponsor of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools®, CCI hosts two (2) CDF Freedom Schools sites. One location for elementary school students at Villa Victoria Academy, and the other for middle school students at The College of New Jersey.

Our programs are free of charge to all of its participants and will run from June 29, 2026 - August 7, 2026. In addition to providing our students with an award-winning reading enrichment curriculum, our students are also immersed in STEM and creative Arts programming.

The Servant Leader Intern (SLI) position is the most pivital position on our team. Without the SLIs, our lessons would not be taught, Harambee would have no leader, and our students would be left without anyone to guide their day and keep them safe. All training is provided before the program begins, and our on-site Leadership Team will be present to assist on a day-to-day basis. The next page of this application will give a more detailed description of the requirements, and expectations of the position.

*Please note that submission of this application does not guarantee employment. Applicants will be contacted at a later date to establish next steps.

Nature and Scope

CDF’s builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. The CDF Freedom Schools program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund in partnership with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer options for children and strengthens family and community involvement.

The mission of CDF Freedom Schools program is to boost student motivations to read, generate more positive attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. The program serves children in grades kindergarten through twelfth for six to eight weeks. The activity based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness. A multi-year assessment of CDF Freedom Schools program sites continuously demonstrates the effectiveness of the IRC, which has proven to avert children’s summer learning loss in reading achievement.

College-age young adults and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools program in the position of Servant Leader Intern. Each CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern serves as the teacher for a maximum of 10 scholars. Servant Leader Interns have access to further leadership development and networking opportunities geared toward continued direct service and advocacy on behalf of children and families.

To learn more about the CDF Freedom Schools and the program's impact, visit www.childrensdefense.org/our-work/cdf-freedom-schools/

Responsibilities

● Serve as a positive role model for all scholars.

● Supervise and maintain safety of scholars.

● Maintain a professional decorum.

● Set up, manage, and break down classroom space according to standards outlined by CDF and the sponsor organization.

● Engage a maximum of 10 scholars per class in the Integrated Reading Curriculum.

● Attend all required Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute training sessions from June 3, 2025 - June 8, 2025.

● Facilitate engaging Afternoon Activities as assigned by CCI Freedom Schools Leadership Team.

● Work with site staff to ensure that all program components are implemented with fidelity.

● Report any issues or concerns regarding program operation to the Site Coordinator.

Qualifications

● Must have completed at least one year of college in good academic standing (typical age range is 18-30).

● Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team.

● Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

● Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor.

Please provide a minimum of two (2) references. These should not be members of your family or friends, but should be someone who can attest to your professional work and character. Examples of good references include:

• former employers.
• school counselor or professor.
• pastor.
• leader of an extracurricular activity or club you were a member of.

Please be sue to upload the correct document to each question below.