ILR Summer High Road New York Fellowship: NY Congresswoman Grace Meng

Overview

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 2025 New York City (NYC) High Road Fellowship Program will run from June 2^nd to August 1^st, 2025. 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.

U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng is serving her sixth term in the United States House of Representatives, where she represents New York's Sixth Congressional District. Grace's district is located entirely in the New York City borough of Queens, including west, central, and northeast Queens. Grace is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State,and the first female Congressmember from Queens since former Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.

Congresswoman Grace Meng's Northeast Queens District Office serves as a bridge between constituents and federal government resources, focusing on resolving community concerns, addressing casework, and engaging with local organizations to advocate for policies that benefit the district. The mission of the office is to ensure accessible, efficient, and effective constituent services, promote equity, and uplift the diverse voices within Queens. The Flushing office operates with a small, dedicated team of staff and interns who work collaboratively to address community needs. It serves a vibrant, multicultural population, including immigrant communities and businesses, ensuring their voices are represented and heard.

The internship program at Congresswoman Grace Meng’s Flushing District Office provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public service and community engagement. Interns are integral to the day-to-day operations of the office and are given a range of responsibilities, including:

- Answering constituent phone calls and documenting opinions and inquiries.
- Performing data entry to log constituent casework and maintain records.
- Greeting and assisting visitors at the reception desk and processing inquiry forms.
- Drafting correspondence for constituents.
- Participating in constituent outreach activities, such as phone banking and follow-up communications.
- Engaging in community canvassing and mobile tabling with office staff.
- Designing and editing flyers and translating materials for diverse constituents.
- Attending meetings and gaining insights into local governance and policy issues, when opportunities arise.

Interns gain valuable skills in communication, organization, and advocacy while working in a collaborative environment. This opportunity offers insight into how a congressional office supports its constituents and engages with the community.

Congresswoman Grace Meng's office is located on 40-13 159th Street, Suite A, Flushing, NY 11358.