Life-Changing Opportunities
Internships at the Mission Offer Amazing Experience
To give college students invaluable experience working in an urban ministry, City Union Mission offers internships for Christian students in Biblical counseling, camp ministry, medical services, communication arts, social work and youth ministries. Cambria Hooven, a 2006 graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University, wrote to share her experience as a Mission intern during the 2005-2006 school year:
"Miss Cambria, Miss Cambria!" I do not think I can fully explain the joy I experienced interning at City Union Mission and hearing those simple words.
I started my last year of college after returning from a summer spent working in Skid Row in Los Angeles. In L.A., my call to inner-city ministry was confirmed, so I looked for a place in Kansas City where I could serve. I found City Union Mission, and found the peace and hope my soul had longed for.
I stared working with the New Life Program with case management, class supervision tutoring - anything that needed to be done. Never could I imagine the bond that would form after working with the same clients for half a year. My greatest joy was being able to help a few work on obtaining their GEDs and share their joy as they graduated from the program.
I ended up spending the majority of my time in the Vanderberg Youth Center, where I was a middle school girls’ leader. I loved working with the kids and felt a peace that I was using the gifts and passions God had given me. I learned a lot about youth, the inner city, leadership and conflict resolution.
My time at City Union Mission will undoubtedly affect and influence the rest of my life. In the fall, I will leave for Philadelphia where I will be living and working in a poor, urban neighborhood, partnering with a local church, volunteering and spending time with neighbors in the hope that I will share the incarnate Gospel and work for social justice and peace. I also plan to get my masters of urban studies with an emphasis in youth leadership.
For information on our internship program, or for an application, please contact Sharon at (816) 474-9380, ext. 1469 or Sharon@cumission.org.
