About the hosts:

​The SouthWest Organizing Project has hosted summer programming for over a decade. We believe youth are the solution, and have a voice that should be valued! We will be paying youth a liveable wage to spend a summer immersed in community organizing.

 

SWOP’s 8-week program serves youth ages 14-19. The program serves to provide a general overview of community organizing, paired with leadership development and extensive political education. Youth will participate in workshops, observe guest speakers, go on field trips, and plan events related to social justice and organizing. 

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The deadline for submissions is May 12th. Youth between ages 14-19 are welcomed to apply. Youth will be paid $15 per hour for up to 15 hours a week.

 

Call backs and interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline. Contact Amanda Gallegos at Amanda@swop.net with any questions or concerns. 

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

 

Youth Organizing 101: 
Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30am-2:30pm

How can youth cultivate a culture of resistance? SWOP’s 8-week program serves youth ages 14-19. The program serves to provide a general overview of community organizing, paired with leadership development and extensive political education. Youth will participate in workshops, observe guest speakers, go on field trips, and plan events related to social justice and organizing. 

Contact Amanda@swop.net for more information.

6 positions, 15 hours a week, pay starting at $15 an hour
Contact: Amanda@swop.net

 

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Youth Justice: 

The New Mexico Youth Justice Coalition is a coalition of young people, families, allies, and community members whose lives have been directly impacted by the Juvenile Justice System. We work to build safe communities that don’t rely on prisons to address our needs! NMYJC is looking for people 14-19 years old who have personal experience or have been directly impacted by the juvenile/adult justice systems, foster care/child-welfare system or any institutionalized facility. This summer, we will focus on leadership & professional development, campaign strategizing, and creating space in community for us young people to actively and truthfully participate in decisions that affect our everyday lives and future generations. We want to reinvest in effective community-based alternatives & implement relevant programming identified and led by youth!

Contact: Loren@swop.net

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Gender Justice: 

Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30am-2:30pm

The Con Mujeres Summer Internship is an 8-week leadership journey for youth ready to step into their power and deepen their impact. Rooted in gender justice and social change, the program supports young organizers from underrepresented communities in building skills, raising their voices, and leading with purpose. 

Gender justice isn’t just about equality it’s about reimagining the world. It means dismantling the systems that harm women, girls, and gender-expansive people, and creating space for everyone to live, love, and lead freely, regardless of identity or background. Through hands-on service, creative workshops, field trips, and real-world organizing, interns will explore the intersections of gender, race, and power. By summer’s end, they’ll leave with sharpened skills, deeper analysis, and a powerful community of support.

Contact: Yahaira@swop.net

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Environmental Justice: 

Weekdays from 9AM-12:30PM

The Youth Aganist Nukes Summer Training Program will meet on weekdays from June 1st - July 25th, 9AM-12:30PM. Parent orientation will be on May 29th. Applications are due no later than May 20th, 2026.
APPLY HERE or choose from the drop-down menu below.
Tuesday-Friday from 8AM-12PM

Contact: Alheli@swop.net

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Food Justice: 

Tuesday-Friday from 8AM-12PM
Project Feed the Hood 2026 Summer Internship is a paid opportunity designed to give youth between the ages of 15-19 years old, a hands-on understanding of Food Justice and its application in community spaces. 

This internship will:

• Uplift intergenerational and cross cultural learning 

• Empower youth to build collective sovereignty 

• Embody holistic and regenerative farming protocols 

• Develop awareness around sustainable ecosystem management 

During this internship, youth will get the opportunity to expand their experiences into real world 
applications, including: 

• Regenerative and traditional land stewardship sciences 

• Community organizing strategies 

• Safety protocols for; tool use, produce processing and distribution. 

• Soft job skill
   

APPLY HERE or choose from the drop-down menu below.
Contact Anton@swop.net or Luciano@swop.net for more information.

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Thank you so much for expressing interest in our summer internships! Call backs and interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline. Call Amanda Gallegos 505-328-9741 for any questions or concerns.