Spring 2026: Community Fridge Program Intern (Unpaid)

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 50 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.     

The Women's Resilience Center (WRC) is a safe, collaborative space where the diverse needs of all women+ are respected and where they can seek, share, and obtain information about their rights and their inherent potential for safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and power. It is a responsive, creative space that engages women+ as co-creators and encourages expression, enhanced wellbeing, and community connectedness. (When we use the term women+, this includes women of all ages, all abilities, diverse ethnic and religious affiliation and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities.) 

SCOPE OF COMMUNITY FRIDGE INTERN WORK: In this internship, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the community fridge located within the El Cajon office, directly impacting IRC clients’ access to nutritious food. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Based on intern skills and experience, responsibilities may include a combination of program support, administrative/data support, and direct service: 

• Weekly stocking of the community fridge 

• Engaging with community partners to facilitate food donations 

• Gleaning and/or sorting food donations 

• Fridge cleaning and general maintenance/upkeep 

• Preparing outreach materials such as flyers, slides, or brochures 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

• Intern will have the opportunity to engage with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds 

• Intern will expand their experience providing direct client services and in-kind support 

• Intern will obtain exposure to project management activities on a small scale, ensuring the smooth operation of the community fridge project 

REQUIREMENTS:  

• Must be currently enrolled (or a recent graduate) in an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s program focused on Women’s/Gender Studies, Public Health, Social Work, Nutrition, Health Sciences, or a related field. 

• Must have driver’s license and reliable transportation  

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 

• Excellent organization and time-management skills 

• Proactive, motivated, and flexible; able to remain calm and adapt within a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable work environment 

• Demonstrated success working and communicating with people of varied English-speaking abilities strongly preferred  

This position reports to the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Supervisor. 

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity. 

Working Environment:  

• The Community Fridge Program (WRC) Internship is in-person at the El Cajon office 

• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability.