Each summer, Caldwell welcomes a cohort of interns who spend the summer working at local non-profits, engaging with the Caldwell community, and growing in their faith and spirituality. This two-month internship gives college students and recent graduates the opportunity to learn about social justice in the Charlotte community while also connecting them with a congregation who supports their journeys. If you are interested in a career in the non-profit sector or want to spend the summer engaging with a community through service, this internship could be for you!
Interns live together at Queens University and are given a living stipend for their summer. Each week, they spend three days working at a placement organization in the Charlotte area (read on for information about specific placement opportunities!) and two days working, studying, and enjoying fellowship at Caldwell Presbyterian Church. Interns attend church service on Sunday and have dinner with congregation members on Sunday evenings for casual community.
As a part of our mission to invite and welcome all, Caldwell is committed to hosting interns from any and all backgrounds; we celebrate the diversity of our interns and do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, religious background, or ability. Through our intern cohort, we hope to create strong connections with younger adults in the Charlotte area by learning and celebrating our differences.
The Hope Summer Internship was funded by a generous grant from the Gambrell family. For that reason, we are able to offer an internship with a stipend and fully funded living accommodations.
Meet the 2022 Interns
Liz Crouse
Intern at Habitat for Humanity
Liz Crouse is a 2022 graduate of Elon University with a B.A. in Professional Writing & Rhetoric. Originally from Cary, North Carolina, Liz is passionate about social justice and has spent the summer growing in her understanding of affordable housing policy. She hopes to continue working in housing policy as she continues her post-graduate career.
Contact Liz: lizmcrouse@gmail.com
Ellen Fielder
Intern at Hearts United for Good
Ellen Fiedler graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Human Service Studies and a minor in Interreligious Studies. She is originally from Apex, North Carolina. This summer, Ellen has been working with people experiencing homelessness and working with a local food pantry. Ellen will be starting UNC Chapel Hill’s Master’s of Social Work program in the fall; she hopes to focus her studies on interpersonal violence prevention and survivor advocacy.
Contact Ellen: ellenfiedler219@gmail.com
Justice Opoku
Intern at Catawba Riverkeeper
Justice was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. For college, he attended St. Andrews University and received a B.A. in Visual Art Design in 2021. He is now working on his Masters at his alma mater. While attending SAU, he played on the varsity football and E-sports teams. He was a part of are The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Black Student Union (BSU), and Sigma Beta Delta.
Eleanor Williamson
Intern at Crisis Assistance Ministries
Eleanor is a Junior at Queens University of Charlotte studying Communications with a minor in Interfaith Studies. She grew up in Warsaw, IN, and her family now lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. Eleanor says, “My internship has taught me that every person I pass in the street has their own complex story, just like mine. I have been able to see parts of those stories this summer and widened my perspective on the Charlotte community and my place in it.”
Contact Eleanor: eraewilliamson@gmail.com
Community & Fellowship in the Cohorts!
Be a Hope Intern
Ready to apply for a summer of service, community, and growth? The Summer 2023 intern application is here! Click on the link below.