Fifteen college students. Fifteen nonprofit organizations. One shared goal: creating meaningful impact across the Paso del Norte region.

This summer marks the third year of the Community Impact Summer Internship Program, an initiative designed to connect emerging professionals with local nonprofits while helping organizations expand their capacity to serve the community. Through the program, students gain valuable hands-on experience and career development opportunities while contributing their skills and energy to mission-driven work.

The journey began with an interactive "interview speed dating" event where interns met representatives from participating nonprofits and learned about their missions, projects, and workplace cultures. Following the event, students ranked their preferred organizations and nonprofits selected candidates whose interests and talents aligned with their needs, resulting in 15 successful matches.

This year's interns are supporting a diverse group of organizations, including Kelly Center for Hunger Relief, El Paso Matters, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, University Medical Center, Reconnecting with the Disconnected, Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso, the City of El Paso, Conservation Society of El Paso, First Tee – Greater El Paso, Insights Science Discovery, El Paso Villa Maria, YMCA of El Paso, Compadres Therapy, and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

Throughout the summer, interns will contribute to projects ranging from communications and outreach to program support, research, and community engagement. In doing so, they will gain practical workplace experience, strengthen their professional networks, and develop a deeper understanding of the nonprofit sector's role in addressing community challenges.

For participating organizations, the program provides more than additional staffing support. It introduces new perspectives, fresh ideas, and future talent into the nonprofit workforce. By investing in students today, the program helps build a stronger pipeline of leaders who are committed to serving their communities tomorrow.

The Community Impact Summer Internship Program is presented by Bank of America and Union Pacific in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. Together, these partners are helping cultivate the next generation of community leaders while strengthening the nonprofit organizations that make a difference throughout our region every day.

As the third cohort begins its summer experience, the impact is already clear: when students and nonprofits come together, everyone benefits, from the organizations they serve to the communities they call home.