Internship
Buckner Internship Community: Buckner Children and Family Services
Location: Rio Grande Valley, TX (multiple)
Address: 3780 N Bentsen Palm Dr Mission, TX, 39614 Mile 7 Rd Suite 3, Peñitas, TX, and/or 6609 Joshua Drive, Donna, TX
Paid/Unpaid: Unpaid
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 16 - 24 hours per week
NOTE: Schedules vary based on department needs and your availability
To support a high-quality experience for both students and our ministry sites, we have established the following application deadlines:
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Summer 2026 Term: April 17, 2026
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Fall 2026 Term: June 26, 2026
These deadlines allow adequate time for our team to conduct interviews, complete required background screenings, and facilitate onboarding and orientation prior to each term’s start date. Because many of our programs serve vulnerable populations, thorough screening and preparation are essential to ensuring student readiness and client safety.
Buckner Children and Family Services is a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to strengthening families and serving vulnerable children, seniors, and communities across Texas. Through our Family Hope Centers, Foster Care & Adoption programs, Family Pathways, and other community-based services, interns gain hands-on exposure to holistic, relationship-centered human services work.
Our internship program is designed to provide students with meaningful, real-world experience that complements their academic studies. Depending on their field of study and placement site, interns may have the opportunity to:
- Support family strengthening and case management services
- Assist with community outreach and program delivery
- Engage in volunteer and group engagement initiatives
- Contribute to program administration, research, or special projects
- Observe trauma-informed and strengths-based practices in action
What you'll accomplish:
- Develop a working knowledge of non-profits and how to carry out successful ministry in an underserved community
- Grow in skills related to working with children and families living in vulnerable situations
- Learn how to work collaboratively with team members from various departments
- Be trained and developed in ways that will be applicable for future employment
- Connect with fellow interns and other professionals within the company to build your network
What you'll bring:
- Must be actively enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree during the length of the program.
- Commit to working at least 16-24 hours per week during business hours with some evening availability.
- Strong academic record.
- Access to own housing and transportation to/from the assigned internship site.
- Must be comfortable working with children and adults of various ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs.
- Able to give clear written and verbal instructions to people.
- Bilingual in Spanish is preferred but not required.
Internship Structure & Locations
All Buckner internships are in-person to ensure students receive immersive, relational learning experiences within our programs and communities. We offer placements across eleven cities throughout Texas, though availability varies by site and term. Because placement capacity is limited, we encourage students to apply early and remain flexible regarding location.
All Buckner internships are in-person to ensure students receive immersive, relational learning experiences within our programs and communities. We offer placements across eleven cities throughout Texas, though availability varies by site and term. Because placement capacity is limited, we encourage students to apply early and remain flexible regarding location.
Please note that Buckner internships are unpaid, educational placements designed to meet university practicum and field experience requirements while providing meaningful hands-on ministry and nonprofit experience.
Applicable Degree Programs
We welcome students pursuing a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including but not limited to:
We welcome students pursuing a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including but not limited to:
- Social Work (BSW/MSW)
- Sociology or Human Services
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Administration
- Ministry or Theology
- Child & Family Studies / Human Development
- Communications or Marketing (for community engagement roles)
Buckner is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The same way we treat our employees is how we treat all applicants – with respect. Buckner is an equal opportunity employer (EEO is the law). You will be treated fairly throughout our recruiting process and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration for a career at Buckner.
