The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) announced that applications for the Ethnic Young Adult Internship (EYA) 2022 program have been extended to March 20, 2022. EYA internships offer students of color experience working in Washington, D.C. with GBCS and partner organizations for social advocacy and justice.

“EYA Interns participate in weekly seminars exploring faith, identity, and various justice issues. They are introduced to The United Methodist Church’s history of social action and our United Methodist Social Principles. EYA Interns learn from staff about the work of justice, peace, and advocacy and engage in weekly devotions and opportunities for faith formation and vocational discernment,” explained The Rev. Katie Monfortte, GBCS Education Program Coordinator.

This year, the EYA program is scheduled for June 5 through July 30, 2022.

“The lasting impact on my development cultivated the idea that spiritual and professional growth can be connected,” says Litany Esguerra a Filipino-American EYA program alumni. “EYA was a driving factor in demonstrating how my internship focus can be interpreted in a modern context through scripture and social justice.”

During the eight-week program, EYA interns are paid and receive full housing in Washington, D.C. directly across from the United States Supreme Court on Capitol Hill.

“My time with EYA and living in D.C. was an energizing experience,” continued Esguerra. “This energy led me to pursue an internship with the Obama Foundation; work abroad in rural community healthcare with an NGO in Jamkhed, India; and pursue a master’s degree in disability studies at the University of Leeds in the UK.”

For students to qualify for the EYA Program they must:

• Be a member of The United Methodist Church
• Be 18 to 22 years old (Central Conference interns are accepted up to 24 years old)
• Be at the academic level of rising sophomore, junior or senior in college/university studies or employed full-time
• Show active leadership and participation in the local church/community and involvement in social justice activities
• Self-identify as a person of color

All qualified students are encouraged to apply before March 20, 2022. For the full program description and application information visit: https://www.umcjustice.org/internships.