Engaged Summer Students

Project Description:

Care to Dance Summer Intern

The Care to Dance Summer Intern will play an essential role in helping The Arc of Loudoun launch a new fall fundraising event. Helping with event logistics, marketing, community outreach, and donor engagement. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in nonprofit management, event planning, fundraising, marketing, and supporting people with disabilities. 

Website: www.thearcofloudoun.org

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Annual meeting on June 12, 3-8pm, recommended to attend

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Passionate about community engagement, dance, movement, or nonprofit work.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience with social media platforms and content creation.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Background Check Required? Yes

Project Description:

SNAP Gap Pantry and Book Nook Intern

Britepaths is a Fairfax based non-profit that serves Northern Virginia families facing financial crisis. We provide safety-net services such as rent, utility, car repair, grocery gift cards & toiletries, and longer-term empowerment services to help them prepare for and find jobs and coaches to work with them on managing finances and becoming self-sufficient. We also have programs for children – school supplies, supplemental food for students, and a book nook. 

The Engaged Summer intern would primarily work on our SNAP Gap Pantry and our book nook. 

The intern would: accept and put away pantry donations; assist with organization and maintenance of our SNAP Gap Pantry; assist with data entry in our client management database: Food Program and pantry supplies grants, client data, pantry donations and contributions; assist with contacting clients who will receive items from the pantry: intake surveys, coordinating pick up dates; assist with engaging volunteers in pantry packing events, pantry inventory, donation drives, etc. As well as: accept and put away book donations; assist with organization and maintenance of our Secret Garden book nook; assist with data entry in our client management database – basic inventory; assist with book events, inventory, donation drives, etc.

Website: www.Britepaths.org

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Monthly staff meeting: June 4th, July 2nd, August 6th. Other events TBD

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: 
Required: Attention to detail, experience with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite, willingness to communicate on the phone or in-person with Britepaths' clients, strong organizational skills.
Preferred: experience with Client Management databases, bilingual in Spanish and English, experience with Excel, comfortable working in a busy and changing working environment.

Background Check Required? Yes

Project Description:

Project 1: Community Outreach and Volunteerism - Community and Volunteer Newsletter

Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) works to help newly arrived families find community and support to thrive in the US. We strive to provide quality social services centered around social justice and help people to understand US systems through ongoing support. The Outreach and Volunteer Intern plays a critical role in expanding the reach and impact of MRS by building and maintaining partnerships, engaging the community, and coordinating volunteer efforts. This position is responsible for working with our outreach team to implement community outreach strategies, developing collaborations with local organizations, and recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers. The aim is to increase awareness of our programs and services, enhance community engagement, and ensure the delivery of high-quality services to our clients. 

Interns will be responsible for creating and updating content for the outreach team and community engagement.  They will also help with community engagement events throughout the diocese. 

Project 2: Refugee Resettlement Case Management

This project is based on the area you would like to help in.  We have many programs to help people become successful in the US. We can place people to help with navigating the US health care system and teaching people about it, working with our youth services advocating for them and making sure they have the services and support they need, to working with newly arrived families from meeting them at the airport to finding new jobs and all that entails.  We have so many opportunities to work with refugees and I will work with you to make sure we find something that works for you.

Website: www.ccda.net

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.
The Community Outreach position is Hybrid - Monday thru Thursday with Fridays usually out of office. 9-5 pm.

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Must complete agency required training

Background Check Required? Yes

Project Description:

Wright to Read Intern

WTR is looking to pilot a new afterschool literacy tutoring and mentoring program during the 2025-26 academic year at Samuel Tucker Elementary School. The program will launch in early August. 

The Fellow will support staff in the recruitment and onboarding of new approximately 10 new volunteers and the preparation of program materials for 10 new families. The Fellow will create materials for and help staff at recruitment events. To help onboard newly recruited volunteers, the fellow would help staff prepare for volunteer trainings and gather tutoring materials prior to the launch of tutoring. The Fellow may also directly work with students and support volunteers at the first few tutoring and mentoring sessions of the program year. 

The Fellow will also support summer programming event planning and execution. Our summer events include an annual End of Year Picnic, field trips to local museums, and volunteer-focused and family-focused book clubs. In addition to sending each Wright to Read student an individualized summer reading package and help maintain a lending library for all of our families and volunteers. 

Website: https://www.campagnacenter.org/program/wright-to-read/

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Event dates TBD, but most in-person events will occur week day evenings. On full day Saturday in early June for the End of Year picnic preferred. 

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Experience working with children and/or volunteers preferred, but not required. 

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Improvisation Theatre Games

We seek a volunteer to lead daily 45-minute improvisational theater games for middle school students, focusing on teamwork, collaboration, and communication. The CECIL representative will also train two high school leaders to assist in managing 50 campers.

Project 2: Photographer

We are seeking a skilled summer camp photographer to capture high-quality images of campers, staff, and activities throughout the season. Responsibilities include taking candid shots, group photos, and special event photography, as well as organizing and sharing the photos with CAPAC.

Project 2: Robotics

We are looking for an experienced robotics engineer to lead ten students with minimal robotics experience in completing projects for our end-of-camp theatrical performance. The volunteer will collaborate with CAPAC’s STEAM team to recommend the necessary tools and must effectively communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders to ensure project alignment and support.

Website: 

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Bilingual preferred.  Experienced with improv techniques suitable for middle school students, photography, and robotics. 

Background Check Required? Yes

Project Description:

Project 1: Internship Professional Clothes Closet Support

We are looking for 1-2 individuals with dedicated time to help manage and develop our Internship Professional Clothes Closet under the guidance of the EDSE Council (the special education undergraduate organization) and Dr. Sharon Ray, a faculty member in special education, who is also the EDSE Council facilitator.  Tasks would include checking donation collection bins on campus; sorting, labeling, and hanging/shelving clothes; developing flyers for intern/field experience student awareness of closet resources; developing flyers for donation requests from the CEHD and local teaching communities; corresponding with interns/field experience students for their appointments; corresponding and organizing with CEHD faculty/staff and local education community members for dropping off/receiving donations; and helping to develop and maintain systems for closet resource management.

Website: none

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Flexible with the fellow's schedule.

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: It would be helpful for student volunteers to have a basic familiarity with Google docs and forms, as well as the Microsoft Office suite of products for closet inventory management, as well as Canva or similar flyer/brochure making programs for advertising/marketing.

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Resident Survey and Data Analysis

Support our quest to serve vulnerable and under-resourced older adults in our community.  We provide affordable, supportive housing communities for residents with an average annual income of about $15,000 each.  We serve a diverse resident population, many whom are English language learners.  Based in our headquarters in Reston, the student working on this project will work directly with the Resident Services Director.  They will collaborate with staff and volunteers across our communities to finalize, translate and disseminate a resident survey at our properties.  The student will collect and enter survey responses into a simple spreadsheet database.  If timing permits, the student will then analyze and present data in a written summary report and executive Power Point presentation.  This survey will increase the understanding we have about the resident experience, current needs and preferences, and self-reported demographic, health, and wellbeing details.  The data collected will inform understanding of needs, development of future programs and services, and provide stronger data to support our fundraising and community partner efforts.  A strong understanding of how to use Excel for data entry and data analysis, including the creation of pivot tables and visual charts and graphs is essential to the success of this project.  

Project 2: Service Coordinator Assistance

Support our quest to serve vulnerable and under-resourced older adults in our community.  We provide affordable, supportive housing communities for residents with an average annual income of about $15,000 each.  We serve a diverse resident population, many whom are English language learners.  Based at one of our community properties in Reston, Hunters Woods Fellowship House, the student working on this project will directly support Resident Services under the daily direction of the onsite Service Coordinator.  The student will assist the Service Coordinator in streamlining processes through the creation of reusable forms and updating community resource and partners information.  They will collaborate with property management staff and Service Coordinator to ensure group programs and services run smoothly, from sign-up, to day-of-program set-up, logistics, and clean-up.  They will support our Fellowship Fresh food distribution program to help ensure our residents receive vital food support through our network of food bank and community partners.  If the student is fluent in a language other than English, they will also support our interpretation and translation activities, helping to engage residents with limited English skills.  Top language needs include Mandarin Chinese, Farsi, Russian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Korean.  

Website: https://www.fellowshipsquare.org/

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.  

Required Hours: 

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Must feel comfortable interacting with a diverse population; Passion for food security, sustainability, and community service;Reliable transportation; Flexible schedule; Experience with Salesforce preferred; Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Standard Operating Procedures & Documentation

The fellow will collaborate with program leads to document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various Food for Others programs, they will: 

• Observe and shadow frontline staff and volunteers to understand workflow and operational needs; 
• Create Quick Reference Guides to summarize key program processes for staff and volunteers; 
• Organize and format documentation for clarity, consistency, and accessibility; 
• Ensure that documents align with best practices in nonprofit operations and program management; 
• Assist, as needed, with gathering feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve documentation. 

Project 2: Community Gleaning Initiative

The fellow with this project will work directly with Food Resources and Nutrition Coordinator on the following responsibilities:  

• Gleaning & Collection: Possible travel to designated farmers' markets to glean fresh produce from vendors.
• Receiving & Processing: Accept, weigh, and sort incoming produce at Food for Others. Primarily done over Saturday and Sunday.  
• Quality Control: Inspect produce for quality, ensuring only fresh and usable items are distributed.
• Inventory Management: Weigh, record, and properly tag all received produce for tracking and reporting purposes.
• Collaboration: Work alongside staff and volunteers to efficiently process and store produce.
• Community Engagement: Represent Food for Others positively when interacting with farmers, vendors, and market managers.
• Safety & Sanitation: Maintain cleanliness and food safety standards in all handling and storage activities.

Project 3: Client Engagement & Feedback

The fellow with this project will work directly with the Client Intake Coordinator on the following responsibilities: 

• Engage with volunteers, staff, and clients in a professional and culturally sensitive manner
• Observe client intake processes and communicate areas for improvement to the Volunteer Coordinator
• Occasionally assist with gathering feedback from clients to refine services
• Accurately input and update client data using Salesforce
• Assist clients by directing them to My Market resources and the Client Resource Coordinator, as needed
• Provide clients with information on additional resources (e.g. WIC packets and healthcare services)
• Occasionally answer front desk calls and direct inquiries to appropriate staff members
• Ensure proper stock of bilingual paper products and maintain the cleanliness of the front desk area
• Greet arriving clients, ensuring they feel welcome and supported
• Handle client belongings with care and respect
   

Website: https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/campus-gardens/

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.  

Required Hours: 

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Must feel comfortable interacting with a diverse population; Passion for food security, sustainability, and community service;Reliable transportation; Flexible schedule; Experience with Salesforce preferred; Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Addressing Food Security

Students will help to grow and harvest fruits and veggies in our multiple gardens and greenhouse. They will package the food, record it, and set up a table to give it away to the community.

Website: https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/campus-gardens/

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.  

Required Hours: 

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Must be able to handle outdoor environments, including high heat, bugs, dirt, and physical labor.

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Summer Day Camp Group Buddy

A Summer Day Camp Group Buddy will assist Jill’s House Direct Support Professionals with their group of 2-4 children. A Group Buddy is willing to have fun and engage with kids who have intellectual disabilities. A Group Buddy enjoys interacting with kids, is flexible, and is willing to initiate activities with children such as playing with puzzles, reading books, or assisting with art projects. A Group Buddy provides support to staff and may push a child in a wheelchair, sit with a child while they are eating a meal, or play with the children on the playground or in an activity room. 

Project 2: Summer Day Camp POD Buddy

A Summer Day Camp POD Buddy will perform a variety of tasks that help support Jill’s House Direct Support Professionals and help our program run smoothly. A POD Buddy is willing to have fun and engage with kids who have intellectual disabilities, while also willing to provide behind-the-scenes support. A POD Buddy may be asked to clean a POD or an activity room, collect supplies, assist with meal/snack preparation or distribution, provide assistance with kids, do laundry, or participate in activities. At the Program Supervisor’s discretion, a POD Buddy may also be asked to engage with a group of 2-4 children as a Group Buddy.

Project 3: Summer Day Camp Weekday Receptionist

A Weekday Receptionist will provide general office support by performing clerical tasks such as answering phones, filing documents, making copies, data entry, managing mail, scheduling appointments, and event support. This volunteer will contribute to the smooth operation of Jill’s House while upholding confidentiality of sensitive information. Strong organizational skills, basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and flexibility required. 

Website: www.jillshouse.org

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.  

Required Hours: Monday through Friday 9am-3pm

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Willing to engage with kids with intellectual disabilities.

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Front Office Intern

Just Neighbors depends on volunteers to do case work and complete the daily operations of the office. Spanish speakers encouraged! Volunteers will answer phones and complete client phone intakes in English and Spanish, work with clients and staff in preparing documents for immigration applications, perform basic office administrative duties and when applicable help with oral and written translations. Volunteers will also help with tasks such as data entry, grant writing, social media, scanning and archiving. 

Website: www.justneighbors.org

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours.

Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday; 9am-5pm

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: It's helpful to have a high level of Spanish verbal/written capability. Other languages we have a higher demand for as well are Arabic, and Dari/Pashto.

Background Check Required? Yes

Project Description:

Project 1: LSSNCA Resource Center

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) accompanies those in need to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities by creating, connecting with, and engaging welcoming communities. The LSSNCA Resource Center is a unique community hub that brings together program participants and community members. It hosts educational courses, professional development and networking opportunities, legal clinics, wellness workshops, celebrations, and cultural events. Program participants also experience dignity and choice when selecting essential items like nonperishable food, clothing, bedding, and personal and infant hygiene products. Volunteers for this project will assist in the essential center tasking to ensure that quality access to resources continues. Tasking can include but is not limited to: overseeing on-site client shopping experiences, intaking and inventorying donations, sorting donations and restocking shopping areas, research on community resources, event planning and support, assist with community group volunteer events, community outreach, and more!

Project 2: Administration and Community Outreach

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) accompanies those in need to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities by creating, connecting with, and engaging welcoming communities. Volunteers with the Administration and Community Outreach project will assist with researching compatible community resources for clients, support in the recruitment and onboarding of volunteers, assist in data collection and management, support agency partner groups in their work with clients, develop pathways of information sharing with clients, support with event planning and execution, and more! Volunteers on this project have the option to be in-person or online.

Website: https://lssnca.org/programs/resource-center.html

Modality: On-Site for the LSSNCA Resource Center Project; Hybrid for the Administration and Community Outreach Project.  

Required Hours: Event dates TBD, but most in-person events will occur week day evenings. On full day Saturday in early June for the End of Year picnic preferred. 

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Experience working with children and/or volunteers preferred, but not required. 

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Economic and Social Justice Program Research

This program allows us to analyze business and industry data to develop research output in the form of Op-Ed, short essays and longer research papers focused on rising income and wealth gap in USA and around the world.  This program is also good training ground for aspiring students to develop good skills for impactful and relevant research ideas and methods. 

Project 2: Social Media Intern

This project revolves around our fundraising and community outreach program.  The student will work with our current team and increase our capacity as well as bring new ideas to make our social media effort and fund raising more impactful.

Project 3: MyLLife Scholars Program

Every summer MyLLIfe supports 10-20 MyLLife Scholars from across the country to do 10-12 weeks of internship at various federal, state, and local as well as non-profit organizations related to public policy. This position will support our activities in support of the 2025 summer Internship program for these Scholars. 

Website: www.myllife.org

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Is the site accessible to public transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Relevant experience for each project would be preferred. We can provide more details to interested students. We are more interested in students' capability and interests over specific experience.

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Project 1: Donor Onboarding

Actively searching for donors that are not restricted under Feeding America Regulations and working to onboard them into our Food Rescue Hero Network!

Project 1: App Regulating

Working to oversee the Food Rescue Hero app, coordinate with volunteers and partners, and analyzing the data trends to provide monthly reports. 

Website: https://nova-fr.org/

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am-1pm in person is required.

Is the site accessible to public transportation? No

Volunteer Requirements:  Able to communicate well, with Excel/Microsoft experience 

Background Check Required? No

Project Description:

Eviction Prevention Intern

Serve as a case aid to support the rental relief and eviction prevention project, in collaboration with NVFS staff and community partner, Loudoun Cares. Establish initial contact with applicants, request and collect all required application materials and documents. Research resources needed to support clients with their varying needs. Participate in weekly virtual case meetings with the team. Participate in twice-monthly in-person case management sessions with the homeless services team. Regular supervision with program manager.

Website:

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site.

Required Hours: Standing weekday staff meeting at homeless shelter

Is the site accessible to public transportation? No

Volunteer Requirements: Strong initiative, able to work independently, interest in homeless and homeless prevention services

Background Check Required? No