By Hazel Scott/ASU
Alabama State University student, Micah Stanley, spent the summer gaining hands-on professional experience as an intern with Youth Villages, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping young people with behavioral and emotional challenges and their families achieve success.
A native of Clarksville, Tennessee, Stanley worked at Youth Villages’ Dogwood residential campus in Memphis while pursuing a degree in recreation therapy/management at Alabama State University.
“Receiving an internship at Youth Villages was an exciting and meaningful opportunity for me. I felt grateful to be chosen and excited to gain real-world experience while working with an organization that makes a difference in the lives of young people and families,” said Stanley.
She continued: "The Recreational Therapy Department at Dogwood Residential Campus are made up of the most incredible CTRSs and they gave me the confidence to truly pursue this career. I am so grateful unto them for giving me the chance to participate as a future CTRS in every way."
The internship allowed Stanley to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting while working directly with youth and supporting their personal development.
Stanley was among 63 college students from across the country selected for Youth Villages’ 2026 summer internship program. The interns represented 37 colleges and universities across 23 states.
The competitive program received more than 650 applications this year, continuing a tradition that began when Youth Villages launched its summer internship program in 2000. The organization is celebrating its 40th year.
“This year’s group fully embraced the opportunity to gain experience working with the youth in our care,” said Luke Self, managing director of recruiting at Youth Villages, in a news release. “It was especially rewarding to see several interns return for a second summer with us, which speaks volumes about our program’s value.”
During the summer, interns served at Youth Villages’ residential campuses in Memphis and group homes in the Nashville area. Students representing majors such as social work, psychology and education gained direct experience working with youth ages 6 to 17.
Their responsibilities included supporting youth as they worked toward individual goals, planning and leading recreational activities, and serving as positive role models by demonstrating healthy and constructive approaches to life.
For Stanley, the experience provided an important opportunity to connect her studies at ASU with a career focused on recreation and youth development.
“Receiving an internship with Youth Villages is an exciting milestone in my academic and professional journey. As an Alabama State University student, I’m grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, serve others, and grow as a future professional. I looked forward to learning, making a meaningful impact, and representing ASU with pride throughout this experience,” said Stanley.