Tena is a community-centric nonprofit that aims to bring preventive healthcare services to historically underserved, under-resourced, and marginalized communities. Tena recognizes that access to quality resources and health education can be difficult to obtain in many communities, and works hard to bridge this gap. Composed primarily of Los Angeles County natives, the team draws upon the social determinants of health to provide services that support the health and wellness of their neighborhoods and beyond. Tena believes in empowering others to have the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to live a healthy and enriched life.

About TENA

TENA is a community-centric nonprofit that aims to bring preventive healthcare services to historically underserved, under-resourced, and marginalized communities. TENA recognizes that access to quality resources and healthcare can be difficult to obtain in many communities, and works hard to bridge this gap. Composed primarily of Los Angeles County natives, the team draws upon the social determinants of health to provide services that support the health and wellness of their neighborhoods and beyond. TENA believes in empowering others to have the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to live a healthy and enriched life.

Application Details

Applications open on Monday, July 27, 2026

APPLICATIONS DUE BY SUNDAY, AUG 9 at 11:59 PM!

Application link can be found at https://linktr.ee/tenacares once it is live on Monday, July 27.

Internship Details

Overview: 

The TENA Internship offers an exceptional opportunity for motivated pre-health students to gain hands-on experience as Community Health Workers in South LA and Pomona, CA. Interns will actively engage in outreach events, manage referrals, conduct follow ups, and offer empathetic support to help elevate community members' quality of life. In addition to the valuable field skills interns will gain, there are opportunities for professional development including workshops, grad student-led panels, mock interview experiences, shadowing providers, and networking sessions with professional school admission representatives. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn from a hands-on project focusing on solutions for health equity issues. This unique opportunity is for those who are dedicated, communicative, and committed to growing their skills in community health. If you're looking for a chance to grow personally and professionally, this internship could be a good fit for you. 

About the Internship: 

Supported by the JCOD/Amity Grant, TENA's internship empowers interns to make a significant and positive impact in the South LA and Pomona communities. You'll be integral to fostering well-being and serving communities through direct engagement and resource navigation. This role allows for autonomy with solid support, but requires individuals who can stay organized, check daily communications, manage time effectively, and ask for help when needed. 

TENA Intern Responsibilities: 

• Engage in Outreach: Attend TENA Community Health and Resource Hubs and outreach events hosted by our partners to connect with and support community members. 
• Create and Manage Referrals: Follow up on referrals to ensure community members receive needed resources. Follow ups will be conducted over the phone, text, email, or in person at subsequent events. 
• Provide Compassionate Support: Address community members' needs with empathy and by listening carefully to help make a meaningful impact. 
• Engage in Professional Development and Training Opportunities: Attend various sessions, panels, workshops, and experiences to develop skills for growth toward graduate school applications.

Who We're Looking For: 

We welcome undergraduate students pursuing pre-health tracks, including pre-PA, pre-pharm, pre-med, Social Work, Nursing, and Public Health, especially those with lived experiences or backgrounds in underrepresented communities. Ability to speak with community members in Spanish preferred. We seek to share this opportunity to the following: 

• Students rooted in South LA and San Gabriel Valley areas
• First-generation students
• Transfer students 
• Community college students 
• “Nontraditional” students

Internship Details: 

Start Date: Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026

End Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026

Duration: 12 Weeks

Location: Mix of virtual and on-site engagements in South LA and Pomona communities. 

In-person events are required for this role, though attending all events is not mandatory. Most in-person events will take place on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Please ensure you have availability and transportation options to attend in person events.

Time commitment: This internship requires 10 hours a week. These hours will be a mix of attending virtual meetings, in-person outreach events, learning through asynchronous training, and community follow up shifts. Please note that communication platforms must be checked at least once per 24 hour period, Monday-Friday. Consistent engagement is essential for supporting community members and staying updated on assignments, resources, and program activities.

Please note the following mandatory, in person days. If you cannot attend these days, please consider applying for a future cohort.

• Internship Kickoff: Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 10 AM to 1 PM at TENA HQ (1001 Rosecrans Ave, Compton, CA)
• Internship Graduation: Friday, November 20 from 10 AM to 1 PM at TENA HQ (1001 Rosecrans Ave, Compton, CA) 

NOTE: The onboarding process includes 10 hours of asynchronous training and live training sessions via Google Meet during the first week of the internship (Sept. 8-13). We encourage you to apply to a future cohort if you are unavailable for this onboarding period. 

 

Professional Development: 

• Access to networking, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities for advancing graduate applications. 
• Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification of completion
• CPR Certification
• Initiation into TENA Alumni Network upon successful completion of the internship with 80+ alumni at various stages of their healthcare career

Stipend: $600 upon successful completion of the internship.

Applicants must be 18 or older and have a demonstrated interest in healthcare or allied health, though enrollment in an educational institution is not required. Join us to gain valuable experience in community health and make a meaningful difference in South LA and Pomona. 

We look forward to your application!