Liberty's Promise

Our Mission:

Liberty's Promise supports young immigrants in need while encouraging them to be active and conscientious American citizens. Our programs aim to make the immigrant experience an affirmative one for young newcomers while instilling in them a sense of pride and support for American ideals of democracy and freedom.

Summer Internships:

Our Opportunities Plus program places youth in eight-week professional internships with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits.  Prior to their placement, youth participate in a job skills workshop, where they develop a cover letter, resume, and interview skills. LP provides participants with an allowance of $1,000 over the course of the internship. All interns live in low-income households, and for many participants, the program is their first professional experience in the United States.

Participants receive consistent mentorship from LP program staff throughout the course of the internship, from the application process, which mimics a real-world job search with in-person interviews, through completion. Past host sites have included DASH (Alexandria Transit Company), members of the Alexandria City Council, Ten Thousand Villages, Together We Bake, and William Ramsay Rec Center, providing youth not just with professional experience, but helping them build their professional networks in their new home.

After participating in an internship, 100% of participants felt: better prepared to apply for a job on their own, more comfortable in a U.S. workplace, and that they better understand the expectations of a professional work environment.

In the short term, internships support Alexandria's immigrant youth to explore career paths of interest, broaden their professional networks, and gain valuable professional experience. In the long term, these internships support higher educational, and thus professional achievement for participants. 

In the long term, these internships provide a stepping off point for the many successes we know our participants will enjoy in their new home. In Alexandria, the graduation rate for English Learners is 77.7%, and just 48% of English Learners enroll in higher education.

In contrast, 100% of Opportunities Plus interns have graduated from high school, and 94% of interns have enrolled in higher education programs, with 10% having completed graduate degrees.

"The focus groups and brain storming activities with the sales department was so good it helped my communication skills and work ethic. I had the chance to share ideas and improve my problem solving skills. Moreover, I feel like even outside of work it enhanced my social life and the way I interact. "

- Summer 2025 Intern