Community Partners

Project #1: Outreach & Volunteer Engagement Intern

As the Outreach and Volunteer Engagement Intern, you’ll play a key role in extending the reach and impact of MRS programs across the community. This hands-on position offers experience in nonprofit outreach, volunteer coordination, communications, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in implementing outreach strategies to increase awareness of MRS programs and services.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local organizations and community groups.
• Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and training efforts.
• Help coordinate and participate in community engagement events throughout the diocese.
• Create and update outreach materials, social media content, and promotional resources.
• Work collaboratively with the outreach team to support both day-to-day operations and long-term engagement goals.
• Ideal for students or recent graduates interested in communications, nonprofit work, community development, or refugee and immigrant services.
• This internship is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the mission of welcome—and to gain valuable experience in outreach and community impact

Project #2: Refugee Resettlement Case Management Intern

This project is flexible and tailored to your interests. Catholic Charities offers a wide range of programs designed to help refugees and immigrants successfully build new lives in the United States—and we want to match you with an area that’s meaningful to you.

Whether you're passionate about education, healthcare, youth advocacy, or direct resettlement support, there’s a place for you here. Opportunities include:

• Health Access Support – Help clients navigate the U.S. healthcare system and learn how to access care.
• Youth Services & Advocacy – Work with refugee youth to ensure they have access to tutoring, mentoring, and resources for education and well-being.
• New Arrival Support – Assist newly arrived families with airport welcomes, housing, job searches, and daily life logistics.
• Employment & Integration Services – Help individuals and families on the path to self-sufficiency through career readiness support and community orientation.
• We’ll work closely with you to create a role that fits your skills, schedule, and goals. This is more than an internship—it’s a chance to walk alongside newcomers as they build their future in the U.S.

Project# 3: College Tutoring and Mentoring Intern

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? Join our team to help build a strong, supportive mentoring program for refugee youth ages 15–24 across Virginia.

As an intern, you’ll play a vital role in:

• Developing and strengthening mentorship opportunities for refugee teens and young adults.
• Providing direct support through tutoring, mentoring, and goal-setting focused on college admissions, job readiness, and life skills.
• Connecting refugee youth with college students who can offer guidance and encouragement as peer mentors.
• Working closely with our state-funded youth programs to design resources, coordinate outreach, and uplift the voices of young refugees.
• This is a meaningful opportunity to help young newcomers thrive academically and professionally—and to be a trusted advocate during a critical stage of their journey.

Website:https://ccda.net/ 

Modality: In-person only. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours. Most opportunities offer direct client interaction.

Required Hours: Monday thru Thursday with Fridays usually out of office. 9-5 pm 

Accessible via Public Transportation? Yes. 

Volunteer Requirements? We will train all positions

Background Check? Yes

Client Engagement and Feedback

Food for Others is seeking students to join us as Client Intake student volunteers. Client Intake volunteers manage all check-in procedures for individuals looking to receive services through our My Market choice pantry. Duties include entering household information, explaining FFO food assistance programs, and resolving client issues—all with a commitment to treating our neighbors in need with dignity and respect. Tasks include: 

• Works directly with the Client Intake Coordinator and Client Resources Coordinator
• Engage with volunteers, staff, and clients in a professional and culturally sensitive manner
• Observe client intake processes and communicate areas for improvement to appropriate staff (process/project dependent)
• 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 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: www.foodforothers.org 

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

Weekday Hours of Operation: Student hours can be flexibly scheduled during normal hours of operation (Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM).

Accessible via Public Transportation? Yes. 

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

Background Check Required? No

Front Office Intern: 

Just Neighbors depends on volunteers to do case work and complete the daily operations of the office.  “Short-term” volunteers must commit to working 2-3 days a week during the open office hours (Tuesday-Friday 9:00-5:00). 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 can help with tasks such as data entry, grant writing, social media, scanning and archiving as well.

Website: https://www.justneighbors.org/

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

Weekday Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Accessible via 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 FILLED

Vision

Build a faith-based community to shape and practice our faith, be each other’s keeper, and serve the larger community through service and civic engagement.

Mission

Build infrastructure, capacity, content, community engagement models, and institutions to realize our individual and collective vision.

Click here to learn more about this organization! 

Community Engagement Intern: 

Support the agency's community and volunteer engagement efforts including volunteer recruitment, program drives support, database management, tracking and analyzing data, and supporting donation drives.

Website:www.nvfs.org

Modality: Hybrid. Students can complete their hours both remotely and on-site. 
Required Hours: Standing weekday staff meeting at homeless shelter.

Accessible via Public Transportation? No

Volunteer Requirements:

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

Background Check Required? Yes.

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 #2: App Regulation

Working to oversee the Food Rescue Hero app, coordinate with volunteers and partners, and analyze 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.

Accessible via Public Transportation? No

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

Background Check Required? No

Addressing Food Security Volunteer: 

University Sustainability at George Mason University uses the strengths of the institution to provide leadership in environmental, social, and economic stewardship on our campuses and throughout the local and global communities we’re a member of. We improve the operational sustainability of the university through specific programs, initiatives, and activities.

The opportunity:

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/presidents-park-greenhouse/

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

Required Hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM -6PM

Accessible via 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 #1: Improvisation Theatre Games 

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

Project #2: Photographer

The volunteer will 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 #3: Robotics Engineer 

The volunteer will lead ten students with minimal robotics experience in completing projects for our end-of-camp theatrical performance. The Fellow 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: http://www.capacweb.org

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

Required Hours: Monday through Friday

Accessible via Public Transportation? Yes

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

Background Check Required? Yes.

Professional Clothes Closet Support Intern: 

The Civic Fellows will help manage and develop the Internship Professional Clothes Closet under the guidance of EDSE Council 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: https://education.gmu.edu/special-education/

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

Required Hours: The schedule is flexible and will be made based on intern/field placement student appointment needs, donation appointments scheduled for drop-offs, and the particular fellow's schedule to sort, log, and manage donations within the closet around these appointments. 

Accessible via 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. 

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 $20,000 each.  We serve a diverse resident population, many who are English language learners.

Project #1: Resident Services Department Data Collection and Reporting:

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 to support the standardization of department operations, including data collection and reporting for internal audiences, including the Board of Directors.  The student will assist in drafting and updating Standard Operating Procedures, collect monthly, quarterly, and year-end data, and draft reports.  Exact projects will be discussed with the selected student to meet their learning goals and the project needs.

Project #2: Services Coordinator Assistant: 

Based at one of our community properties in Reston, Woodbridge, or Upper Marlboro (depending on student location), the student working on this project will directly support Resident Services under the daily direction of the onsite Service Coordinator or the Resident Services Director at our Headquarters in Reston.  The student will assist the Service Coordinator(s) in streamlining processes and coordinating group programs.  They will collaborate with property management staff, the Volunteer Coordinator and Service Coordinator to help 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. 

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

Modality: In-person only unless specified in the project description. Students will be required to be on-site to complete their hours. 

Required Hours: Generally, the assigned hours will occur on weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm with possible occasional evening or weekends depending on the project.  Schedules will be determined at the start of each semester with the individual student and will accommodate the academic schedule while meeting the project requirements. 

Accessible via Public Transportation: Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Must feel comfortable interacting with a diverse population; Passion for older adults, food security, sustainability, and community service; Reliable transportation; Schedule will be set each semester to accommodate the needs of the organization and the student’s academic schedule.

Background Check required? No. 

Project #1: POD Buddy

A 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 #2: Departmental Operations Assistant 

The departmental Operations Assistant supports the overall functioning of Jill's House by providing flexible, administrative support to various departments. This role helps with tasks such as data entry, filing, scheduling, organizing materials, communications and special projects. The assistant rotates between teams as needed, ensuring that each department receives timely help to stay organized and efficient.

Website: http://www.jillshouse.org 

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

Required Hours: Varied. Admin Office is Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm. Weekend Program runs Friday night through Sunday evening.

Accessible via Public Transportation? Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Willing to engage with kids with intellectual disabilities

Background Check? Yes. Training will be provided and additional background check will also be required. 

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.

LSSNCA Resource Center Intern

Volunteers and Interns 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, administration support, event planning and support, assist with community group volunteer events, community outreach, and more!

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

Modality: Hybrid, but majority on-site. Students can complete some hours virtually based on project needs.

Required Hours: On-site hour options are available Tuesdays/Wednesday/Thursday (daytime/evening) and some Saturdays (mid-day) or as scheduled for events/ other projects. 

Accessible by Public Transportation? Yes

Background Check? Yes

Project #1: SHS Needs Assessment Process Intern

Support the development of a comprehensive and streamlined Needs Assessment Process for Safe Haven Space. This process will help the organization better understand the evolving needs of the youth and families it serves

Project #2: Mental Health Materials Development

Developing culturally responsive mental health materials tailored to the communities (immigrant, refugee, and asylee youth). These materials will be used as resources for students and community collaborators who engage with SHS, helping to promote education, reduce stigma, and foster access to mental health support

Project #3: Community Wellness Program Evaluation

This project is a collaborative effort between Safe Haven and the volunteer designed to assess the impact, effectiveness, and cultural responsiveness of Safe Have Space’s programs. The team will gather and analyze data that reflects participant feedback, program outcomes, and areas for improvement. Findings will be compiled into actionable reports to be presented to the SHS team, with the goal of informing future programming, enhancing service delivery, and strengthening data-driven funding proposals

Website: https://safehavenspaceusa.org/ 

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

Required Hours:Monthly Staff Meetings: First Mondays. Biweekly committee meetings and day to day hours are flexible

Accessible by Public Transportation? No

Volunteer Requirements: Mental Health Background. Majors in Psychology and experience working with the community 

Background Check Required? No. 

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: June 12, 3-8PM for our Annual Meeting

Accessible by 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. Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive

Background Check required? Yes

Wright to Read Programming Fellow

The Wright to Read (WTR) program, operated by the Campagna Center (CC), is seeking a Civic Fellow from CECiL to support our free literacy tutoring and mentoring services for families in Alexandria during the 2025-2026 program year. The core components of this project include supporting the launch of a new afterschool literacy program at Samuel Tucker Elementary School and helping deliver tutoring and mentoring services at our ongoing afterschool sites at John Adams Elementary School and Naomi Brooks Elementary School. Our CECiL Fellow will also have the opportunity to support annual programming to Wright to Read families and volunteers through events and administrative support. These two components work together to help Wright to Read deliver exceptional literacy tutoring and mentoring services to new and existing families. 

     The Fellow’s primary role will be supporting our site-based pilot programs. WTR currently operates three afterschool tutoring and mentoring sites as a part of our overall literacy program in Alexandria, including a newly launched program at Samuel Tucker Elementary School. At each elementary school site, students meet one-on-one with their assigned volunteer tutor-mentor afterschool from 3:00-4:00pm. Each pair works together to help grow the child’s literacy skills, in addition to building mentoring relationships. Each week, the CECiL Fellow will either work to support the on-site volunteers and site-facilitator, or serve as a substitute tutor-mentor in the case of any absences. The Fellow will also help create activity materials for our pilot and, when possible, lead group activities with all of our students. The Fellow will be expected to be on-site from 2:45-4:15pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The program, which will launch in early September, will provide many opportunities for the Fellow to support our mission and both expand and deepen our reach to our local school communities.

      Additionally, WTR strives to provide enrichment programming throughout the school year. This programming serves to engage our community, give opportunities to students to continue learning outside of the school day, and support caregivers in creating literacy-rich environments at home. The Fellow would complete this component of the project primarily through event planning and execution, and resource gathering, maintenance, and distribution. Our annual events include an annual project fair, literary magazine, winter celebration, volunteer workshops, and book clubs for middle and high school students. All of these gatherings give the Fellow the opportunity to hone event execution skills and interact directly with our program community. Additionally, the Fellow will support our efforts to send each Wright to Read student an individualized winter reading package and our efforts to maintain a lending library for all of our families and volunteers. 

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

Modality: Hybrid. Most hours are complete on-site, but non-site-based tasks can be completed at home. 

Required Hours: Availability to support at least 2, if not all 3 of our afterschool tutoring programs on-site at three City of Alexandria elementary schools. Tuesdays-Thursday 2:45-4:30pm. Wednesday on-site availability required. Off-site hours as scheduled with supervisor.

Accessible by Public Transportation? Yes

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

Background Check required? Yes. Will be completed by the partner site as part of onboarding. 

PROJECT FILLED 

As a part of Facilities & Campus Operations, the University Sustainability team accelerates action in policy and practice. We collaborate with campus and community partners to improve and implement best practices, and with institutional peers to develop innovative solutions to grand challenges. We provide students, faculty, and staff with unique, on-campus experiential learning opportunities and funding to transform their careers and our campuses.

Click here to learn more about this organization! 

The Mason Libraries strive to be a transformational partner in deepening the impact of research, teaching, and learning for the entire university community. We are committed to providing a foundation for intellectual activity and the creation of research and creative expression. The Libraries are a place for quiet study and focus; a place for dynamic collaboration and deep conversation; a place where curiosity becomes growth; and a place where technology builds a bridge to new approaches and a better understanding. 

This Civic Fellowship opportunity is with our Seed Library program, which stocks seeds at Fenwick Library, which patrons then take, grow, and then return to the library. The emphasis, however, is on the taking and growing of seeds and less on the drying and returning, given the experience of other seed libraries. Seed libraries promote growing your own food, wellbeing, community, and learning in a hands-on way. We also run a number of events such as monthly seed packing parties and a Spring kickoff events and make fun educational materials like zines! One of the program’s goals is to make gardening and growing your own food accessible to the wide George Mason Community.    

Seed Library at Fenwick Library Intern 

The opportunity:

You’ll learn about environmental education, outreach to local community and campus groups, creating and using promotional and educational materials, event planning, social media engagement, website maintenance, and gardening.

You’ll develop and implement a plan for starting an Instagram for the Seed Library to promote events, community, and education around gardening

You’ll support the Environmental Science Librarian by assisting with monthly event planning, outreach, and execution, as well as weekly maintenance and upkeep of the Seed Library

You’ll help shape the future of the Seed Library by helping discuss and propose new ideas, programs, and resources

Website: https://infoguides.gmu.edu/seed-library 

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

Required Hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM-4PM

Accessible via Public Transportation: Yes

Volunteer Requirements: Interest in environmental outreach and education, ability to use and knowledge of instagram

Background Check required? No.