• What is Labor Summer?

  The UCR Labor Summer Fellowship is an annual program that brings together emerging leaders, labor unions, and community organizations who share a vision for worker justice and labor rights. Hosted by the UCR Inland Empire Labor & Community Center, student participants are matched with a host organization for an 8-week paid internship to engage in local campaigns that advance worker, racial, immigrant, and other social justice initiatives. In this internship, students will learn the basics of community and labor organizing and get hands-on experience building power with workers and residents.

  UCR upper-division standing undergraduate students are awarded $7,360 in recognition of their participation in the program. The program also provides students with leadership and professional development training, a certificate of completion, and access to a UC statewide labor summer network.

• What organizations can participate in Labor Summer?

  Labor Summer is seeking to partner with labor unions and community organizations advancing worker and social justice issues. UCR Labor Summer prioritizes host organizations that are committed to mentoring student fellows and located in and/or serve the Inland Empire region.

• What are the general responsibilities of a host organization?
  • Host fellow(s) at organization from June 23, 2025 to August 8, 2025. (excluding the mornings of July 3, July 17  & August 1, which are professional development days with IELCC)
  • Provide an organizational orientation to ensure the fellow’s successful transition into organization. Please ensure your team is aware of the organization’s participation in Labor Summer fellow(s) and communicate with your fellow about orientations and first-day logistics prior to their first day of work. 
  • Develop a work plan with clear roles, responsibilities, and activities.
  • Submit a work plan to UCR IELCC staff and review the work plan with the fellow.
  • Maintain consistent communication with fellow(s).
  • Maintain communication with UCR IELCC staff as needed.
  • Be responsible for day-to-day supervision of fellow(s).
  • Recommended weekly check-ins with fellow(s) to ensure progress on their work plan, as well as discuss overall experience and other items.
  • Provide mentorship, leadership, and/or professional development opportunities.
  • Submit a post-fellowship evaluation of Labor Summer to provide feedback to our staff and strengthen the program.

  Host organizations are expected to commit $8,000 in funding per fellow. $7,360 will serve as an award for the fellow upon completion of the program, while the remainder will assist in programmatic costs for the opening & closing retreats and general overhead costs. 

  Note: Organizations that cannot commit to funding $8,000 per fellow may still host fellows contingent upon the UCR IELCC’s resources to support organizations. 

• What is the deadline to apply to become a host organization?

  The application period for host organizations will be open from early December 2024 to January 20, 2025. Although the application is not due until 11:59 PM PST on January 20th, 2025, submitting earlier is highly encouraged.

Are you interested in becoming a Labor Summer 2025 Host Organization?

If you wish to directly receive an application to be a host organization, or for questions or concerns, please contact IELCC Executive Director, Cheylynda Barnard at cheylynda.barnard@ucr.edu.
 

Labor Summer 2025 Host Organization Timeline