MISSION- In our pursuit to eliminate poverty, Wayne Metro empowers people and communities to be strong, healthy, and thriving.
VISION- We envision thriving communities where all people have hope and opportunities to realize their full potential.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency consists of staff dedicated to serving others, which include professionalism, empathy, respect, excellent client service, maintaining confidentiality, punctuality with regular attendance. We provide assistance to low to moderate income families to help address their most critical needs. The agency has over 70 programs, including valuable educational, housing, and emergency services.
Internship Description:
Wayne Metro seeks a motivated and detail-oriented individual with an interest in community services and public assistance programs. This internship provides hands-on experience supporting utility assistance and intake operations, including the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), Water Assistance Programs, Weatherization (Wx) Intake, and Resident Services. The intern will work collaboratively with program teams to support client intake, application processing, and service coordination. Responsibilities include assisting with eligibility screening, data entry, documentation review, and client communication to ensure efficient and accurate service delivery. This role offers valuable exposure to program operations, client-centered service models, and the coordination of multiple funding streams to support household stability. The ideal candidate is organized, compassionate, and eager to learn about community action programs and the impact of utility assistance services.
Interns Essential Functions:
- Assist with client intake for utility assistance programs, including MEAP, Water Assistance, Weatherization (Wx), and Resident Services
- Support eligibility screening by reviewing applications and verifying required documentation
- Enter and update client data accurately in agency databases (e.g., EmpowOR)
- Assist with processing applications and tracking case statuses
- Communicate with clients via phone, email, or in-person to obtain missing information and provide program updates
- Help coordinate referrals to internal programs (e.g., Wx, conservation services) and external community resources
- Maintain organized digital and physical client files in compliance with program guidelines
- Support outreach efforts by assisting with intake events, prescreening activities, and community engagement initiatives
- Collaborate with program staff to ensure timely and accurate service delivery
- Adhere to confidentiality standards and handle sensitive client information with discretion
- Assist with basic reporting, data tracking, and program performance monitoring as needed
- Participate in team meetings, trainings, and continuous improvement activities
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment with a usually quiet noise level. This is largely a sedentary role and the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, frequently use hands and to talk or hear.