An Internship of Opportunity, A Summer of Impact

Next week, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) will launch our summer HIRE Up cohort and we could not be more ready! Eight weeks. Real work. Real pay. Real change. But none of it happens without the community rallying behind our AFJ Interns.

The Callback

One of the most powerful things HIRE Up can produce, beyond a resume line, is a callback.

As we prepare to kick off our summer 2026 cohort, we are in awe of the AFJ Participants who successfully completed their spring internship placements and were invited back by their employers. Not out of obligation or coincidence, but because they showed up, they delivered, and they made a lasting impression.

That is the HIRE Up model working exactly as intended. Zahmaire R. is one of those Participants. During the spring he interned at Charles Pan Fried Chicken, and when it came time to build the summer cohort, his employer did not hesitate to bring him back.

Raven Pressley, Director of Operations at Charles Pan Fried Chicken and Zahmaire’s supervisor, shared how "We witnessed a young man [Zahmaire] who quickly took pride in his role within our organization. Despite being the newest member of the team, he built positive relationships with his colleagues, demonstrated strong teamwork, and contributed meaningfully to the workplace environment."

When asked why she believes in giving young people this opportunity, Raven was quick to respond that "access to meaningful work experiences can help guide them toward a more productive path and away from negative influences."

When asked what this summer internship means to him, Zahmaire said: "Opportunity to get more money and achieve my goals."

Opportunity, self-confidence, and a future that keeps getting bigger. That's what a callback looks like.

From an Internship to a Calling

HIRE Up places young people across industries, and sometimes an internship does not just teach job skills. It sparks something deeper.

This past spring, two of our Participants completed their placements at Yummy Tummy's Kitchen. What they discovered there surprised even them: a genuine passion for culinary arts and business.

The internship opened more than one door for Brianna and Shania. They left with a love for culinary arts and a hunger for the business side of the industry. This fall, Shania heads to Brooklyn College to study Public Accounting and Finance, and Brianna will be studying Business. Two young women walked in looking for a summer job and walked out with a direction.

AFJ Participant Brianna reflected how her “time at Yummy Tummy’s was eye-opening. I got to see firsthand how a small, Black-owned business competes and grows in a demanding industry. I had a lot of fun learning new recipes and connecting with customers."

This Is Why We Do It

Zahmaire is returning to Charles Pan Fried Chicken. Brianna and Shania found their passion. And right now, the next cohort of Participants is waiting for their turn.

Our summer cohort starts next week. Let's make it count for our Participants!