Community Engagement Intern

Cradles to Crayons is looking for enterprising interns who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.  Cradles to Crayons’ College Corps Interns will gain valuable experience in non-profit management and social entrepreneurship as they work together with Cradles to Crayons staff. The schedule is flexible and interns will have the opportunity to complete and contribute to projects and initiatives essential to the functions of the organization.  Interns will receive experience and skills development in the areas of volunteer relations and day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization.

Cradles to Crayons Overview

Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive.

Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity just one example of the significant short-and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021.

College Corps Internship Job Description

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated student leaders to participate in Cradles to Crayons’ internship program. As an intern in this program, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in our Community Engagement Team providing a wide range of outreach, marketing, event planning, and general support.

As a College Corps Community Engagement Intern, you will gain skills in volunteer engagement, community building, and event planning and increase your knowledge and exposure to social enterprises.  Our hope is that through your internship at Cradles to Crayons, you will learn valuable skills to create lasting change in the world.

Interns are expected to commit to for an average of 10-24 hours per week, with occasional weekend availability, and responsibilities are likely to include:

• Assist the Community Engagement staff in planning and executing community initiatives aimed at collecting donations of children’s items.
• Conduct research on potential donation bin host sites to help expand our reach and increase donations.
• Raising awareness of clothing insecurity through attending community events and tabling opportunities.
• Record all participants and donations in Salesforce for accurate donation tracking.
• Assist in the Giving Factory and other special projects as needed. This will include occasional weekend event support.

Qualifications

Ideal interns should have:

• Desire to learn more about community organizing, volunteer engagement, or marketing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to multi-task, work independently, and take initiative.
• Positive and friendly attitude.
• Strong interest in community/grassroots organizing, social entrepreneurship and/or non-profit management.
• Passion for the Cradles to Crayons’ mission.
• Access to car required

Interns are expected to commit to a full summer, Mid-September to mid-November, for an average of 10-24 hours a week. This position takes place onsite at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory in Newton with some work in the community. Occasional weekend work will be required.

Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age.

To Apply:  Please email a cover letter, resume, and a brief explanation of past volunteer experience to Joseph LaMarca, Operational initiatives Associate, at jlamarca@cradlestocrayons.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.