The Vietnamese Association of Illinois is a service-learning and internship site that provides high school and university students with professional development training and a holistic learning experience.
Interns and volunteers are an essential part of our program because not only do they supervise and mentor youth, but they also offer unique perspectives on fostering youth development.
Loyola Center for Experiential Learning: https://www.luc.edu/experiential/forstudents/recommendedorganizations/
Northeastern Illinois University: https://www.neiu.edu/university-life/student-leadership-development/civic-and-community-engagement/individual-and-group-volunteering
After School Matters: https://youthreadychicago.cityspan.com/Web/sms/OnlineEnrollment/Summer2020/Application.asp
Meet Our Interns
Sarah Honig, BRAVE Intern
Sarah is nearing the end of her first year at Loyola University in Chicago, where she is pursuing an MSW with a specialization in children and families. She grew up in the Chicago-land area and worked as a tutor at a high school in Bronzeville and volunteered in various programs. Sarah’s lifelong passion for working with youths has inspired her to pursue a career as a social worker in order to support youths, their families, and the community. Sarah loves to bake, draw, and hang out with her dog, Sunflower! She is excited to be an intern in the VAI youth program!
Jenna Brooks, BRAVE Intern
Jenna Brooks is a first year Masters student at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work. After she graduated college, Jenna worked as an English teacher at a high school in Bangkok, Thailand for 1 year. While she was living in Thailand, she visited Vietnam twice! Jenna is extremely passionate about the youth population, and planting seeds early in their development, to grow them into our future leaders. Jenna loves to cook, take long walks, and meditate. She is thrilled to be working with the BRAVE teens at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois!
Caitlin Clay, BRAVE Intern
Caitlin is in her senior year earning her Bachelor’s in Social Work. She is an intern at VAI in the BRAVE project. She has not previously worked with this population and it has been a great opportunity for Caitlin to grow and gain experience in guiding students towards their future. She wants to help these students find their own goals and help to achieve them, along with becoming future leaders. In her free time, Caitlin likes to go for runs and spend time relaxing and watching movies. Caitlin is looking forward to what this school year has in store her and the program at VAI!
