Programs Intern

Organization:

The Alliance

Site Supervisor: Kelly Olivo

Organization Address:

6240 Hillcroft Ave Houston Texas 77081

Organization Description:

The Alliance's mission is to create opportunities for refugees, immigrants, and under-served residents to achieve their goals for self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. Our goal is to support underserved residents who often get left behind; such as low-income individuals, unemployed residents, communities of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and incarcerated, and formerly incarcerated community members.

Our Center for Literacy and Advancement creates opportunities for community members through basic education, English language acquisition, occupational training, youth engagement, and financial literacy programs. In combination with other services provided by the Alliance, these programs improve clients’ prospects for increased household income, economic stability, and housing affordability. The Center’s staff assists community members at all stages – those who need help getting back on their feet, those who need support and guidance in managing their finances, and those seeking to build wealth for themselves and generations to come.

Housed within our Center for Literacy and Advancement are the Alliance AmeriCorps Programs, the Texas Family Literacy AmeriCorps Initiative, and the Houston Adult Literacy AmeriCorps VISTA Project. These two AmeriCorps national service programs promote family and adult literacy in Houston, Texas. The AmeriCorps Houston Adult Literacy VISTA Project recruits and places national service members into nonprofits across Houston to build organizational capacity through program evaluation, grant writing, fundraising, and outreach activities. The Texas Family Literacy AmeriCorps Initiative recruits and places national service members into nonprofits in Austin and Houston to teach English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, early-childhood literacy, parenting, and GED preparation.

Primary Function:

The intern(s) for the AmeriCorps Programs will support departmental operations and build capacity for communications, program recruitment, member engagement, alumni outreach, resource development, and organizational best practices. The intern(s) will be directly supervised by the AmeriCorps Programs Director and/or the AmeriCorps Programs Coordinator. The AmeriCorps VISTA Leader(s) will provide mentorship, guidance, and support to the intern(s).

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Promote AmeriCorps awareness by developing and disseminating marketing materials and promoting events including but not limited to; outreach and recruitment, social media content, monthly newsletters, monthly “Impact Stories”, flyers, and webpages

  • Develop, enhance, and support the maintenance of social media accounts: FB, IG, LinkedIn, YT

  • Assists in preparing, implementing, reviewing, and updating departmental SOPs

  • Support and manage the department's database systems, i.e., active members, alumni, etc.

  • Help organize events, i.e., National Days of Service, professional development, training, etc.

  • Conduct general research on organizational best practices, i.e., digital filing and archiving, marketing trends, communications strategies, and volunteer engagement

  • Collaborate with staff to update the programs website

  • Engage in professional development and network opportunities

  • Complete professional readings as assigned, i.e., the Alliance Style Guide, AmeriCorps Branding Guidelines, the Alliance Communications Guide

  • Attend AmeriCorps staff weekly meetings, when possible

  • Attend AmeriCorps monthly team meetings, when possible

  • Attend AmeriCorps tabling events, when possible

  • Support the AmeriCorps team in daily administrative tasks and activities

  • Perform other intern-appropriate tasks as assigned

Preferred qualifications:

  • Knowledge and demonstrated ability to use various social media strategies

  • Knowledge and demonstrated experience with various content creation platforms and graphic design tools; Canva, Prezi, Google Suite, Adobe Illustrator and Design

  • Proficiency and demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel

  • Ability to take direction and absorb information quickly

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Highly-committed to community engagement, volunteering, civic engagement, or public service

  • Works well independently and in collaborative groups.

  • Is adaptable and takes initiative

  • Has research and analytic skills

  • Strong critical thinking skills, creative problem-solving skills, and interpersonal skills

  • Is open-minded, curious, and asks questions

  • Has excellent time-management, self-discipline, and self-direction

  • Majoring in: Communications, Philosophy, International Affairs, Pre-law, Social Work, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Education, English or related fields

  • Freshmen and Sophomores are welcome to apply, Juniors and Seniors are preferred

Number of available positions: 2

Hours expected to work each week: 20