Internship Program
The Chuck Cooper Foundation Internship Program is a new immersive initiative that builds on the Foundation’s scholarship legacy by emphasizing workforce development, leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. This program represents a strategic shift from traditional scholarships to experience-based learning aimed at preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
Interns participate directly in the Foundation’s Beacons of Light Outreach Program by helping organize and deliver workshops for high school and middle school students in schools, gyms, and community spaces. They also gain experience in organizational leadership by supporting administrative tasks and engaging with board members, stakeholders, and community partners.
The Internship Program represents the next chapter in the Foundation’s mission to uplift underserved communities by providing the next generation of changemakers with the tools to lead, serve, and thrive.
Beacons of Light Outreach
The Beacons of Light Outreach Program helps middle and high school students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and take significant steps toward their educational and career goals. Chuck Cooper Foundation interns play an essential role in delivering workshops and other engagement activities, working alongside former scholarship recipients and corporate and community partners to offer mentorship and guidance.
Students learn practical skills like time management, academic preparation, and college and career planning. Programs are held in classrooms, gyms, playgrounds, and community spaces throughout Pittsburgh and beyond, meeting students where they are.
These beacons of light, each connected to the Foundation, are high-achieving role models who reflect the students they serve. By sharing their journeys and leading by example, they help young people believe in their own potential and start preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead.
CHUCK COOPER AND JOSH GIBSON CENTER FOR EQUITY AND EDUCATION
The Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education at Point Park University seeks to create equity and opportunities in education and employment for youth and families from communities of color. Focusing on skills necessary for college and career readiness, the program will function as a coordinator of resources, offering workshops, college mentors, and opportunities to connect with community and business leaders, as well as college faculty.
Click below to learn more about the Cooper-Gibson Program at Point Park University
