In a continued effort to strengthen educational and career pathways for local youth, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded a $3,500 grant to Communities In Schools of Houston. The funding will provide a stipend for one high school student to participate in the Houston Bar Association Summer Legal Internship Program in 2026.

The investment supports a long-standing partnership focused on preparing Houston students for success beyond graduation. Communities In Schools of Houston works directly on school campuses to equip students with college and career readiness tools, while also connecting them with hands-on learning opportunities through internships and professional training.

Launched in 2009, the HBA/CIS Summer Legal Internship Program is an eight-week initiative designed for academically strong high school students. Participants are placed in paid internships across Houston-area law firms, corporate legal departments, and public agencies, where they gain firsthand exposure to the legal profession.

The grant from the Texas Bar Foundation will specifically fund a student intern serving within a nonprofit or government agency during the summer of 2026. Organizers say the experience not only builds practical workplace skills but also broadens students’ understanding of legal careers and the wide range of roles within the field.

Program leaders have outlined clear benchmarks for success. At least 90 percent of student interns are expected to gain transferable professional skills, 80 percent will develop a deeper understanding of the legal industry, and 95 percent are projected to complete the full eight-week program.

This year, the internship program will serve 16 students, all of whom will receive paid work experience. For many participants, the opportunity represents a critical step toward long-term academic and career goals.

Since its founding in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to support law-related programs across the state. Backed by members of the State Bar of Texas, it remains the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the nation, continuing to invest in initiatives that expand access to justice and professional opportunity.