ILR High Road New York

Harlem Grown

ILR High Road New York is a statewide program that aims to teach ILR students practical methods for civic engagement and leadership through economic justice, evidence-based policy, and strategic development that creates opportunity for community members to share in prosperity.  The Summer 2026 New York City (NYC) High Road Fellowship Program will run from June 1st to July 31st, 2026. Students intern in person with various NYC partner organizations and will participate in weekly cohort workshops focused on critical reflection and peer-to-peer collaboration and networking and learning opportunities with guest speakers will be offered at ILR's NYC office on Lexington Avenue. All interns will be paid and need-based subsidized housing will be available. 

Harlem Grown is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. We operate local urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provide farm-based development programs to Harlem youth.
Founded in 2011 by Tony Hillery with one school partnership, one urban farm and an idea to help Harlem children, today Harlem Grown’s farms and greenhouses are used as classrooms and as venues to cultivate a connection to the environment and food among young people. Harlem Grown operates 14 urban agricultural sites featuring soil-based urban farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and a mushroom chamber. All of our sites are located between 122nd and 152nd Streets in Central Harlem, Manhattan.

Harlem Grown cultivates deep community roots by growing fresh food, strong youth, and lasting relationships. We meet children where they live, learn, and grow—offering opportunities that extend beyond our farms to the classroom and into their futures. Through Food and Farm Education, we help youth build healthy habits, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to their community. Our urban farms provide free produce and nutritious meals for families while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. Through 14 urban farms and year-round programming, we provide free produce, nutritious meals, and cooking lessons while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. In addition, our programs increase economic opportunity for families and develop leadership and advocacy skills so participants can drive transformational change in their communities.

At Harlem Grown, we grow healthy children and communities through hands-on education, access to resources, and long-term youth support. Our Food and Farm Education —including summer camp, in-school and after-school programs, mobile education, service learning, and farm tours—delivers farm-based lessons to children in our community. We offer free community resources like farmstands, Saturdays on the farm, and events that provide fresh food and create spaces for support and connection. Through academic support, internships, and career readiness programs, we help our young people build confidence and skills to thrive from elementary school through adulthood.

Harlem Grown is partnering with High Road NYC program and are seeking an enthusiastic and high-energy intern to work in our Central Office! During the eight-week summer program, the fellow will support People Operations at a critical time as Harlem Grown delivers summer camp, Food and Farm Education programs, and community initiatives across Central Harlem. Through hands on involvement in hiring, onboarding, employee engagement, compliance, and HR administration, the fellow will gain practical experience in nonprofit human resources, receive consistent mentorship and feedback from the HR team, and complete structured projects with clear deliverables. Combined with required weekly professional development sessions at ILR’s Manhattan office, this experience will strengthen the fellow’s skills in communication, organization, and project management while deepening their understanding of how effective human resources practices support youth development and community impact.

Responsibilities:
1. Employee Engagement:
o Plan and coordinate weekly summer team building activities for staff
o Assist with planning and logistics for staff meetings
o Help implement initiatives that strengthen workplace culture

2. Recruitment, Hiring, and Onboarding:
o Assist with administrative hiring processes for summer camp staffing
o Assist with scheduling, communications and documentation for new hires
o Help track completion of onboarding requirements including training and policy acknowledgements
o Assist with background checks and related follow up communications
o Support collection and organization of required employment documentation

3. Compliance:
o Organize and maintain digital and physical documents in office in alignment with confidentiality 
standards
o Support compliance tracking and document preparation in alignment with local, state, and federal 
requirements

4. Research and Administrative Projects:
o Conduct research related to HR practices, workplace policies, and potential funding opportunities
o Support administrative HR projects and process improvement initiatives
o Support the Operations team as assigned
 

Qualifications:
•Must be a Cornell ILR High Road NYC participant
•Strong communication and interpersonal skills
•Strong attention to detail and organization
•Comfort in working in a nonprofit environment
•Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
•Have experience or interest in event planning and coordination

Harlem Grown, 127 West 127th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States