Community Outreach Intern

Internship Title: Community Outreach Internship 

Internship Description: Ayuda is looking for two 2026 Summer interns who will work with our Community Outreach Specialist as well as our Volunteer & Intern Manager to support our internal operations and external relations. 

Assistance will include correspondence with a wider array of internal and external supporters. The internship will support planning and executing company and community events, especially for generating staff participation and community attendance programs designed for our clients, develop strategies to involve stakeholders and possible partners in serving clients victims of crime, internal data tracking, in-kind donation management, organize and lead professional development engagements for the intern cohort, support with internship program recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding, completion of supporting research, design of marketing and promotional updates, and administrative support as needed. The incoming intern will be fully knowledgeable of Ayuda, its mission, and services to relay such information with clients, volunteers, interns, and external supporters.  

The individual completing this internship will receive a broad understanding of the ins and outs of nonprofit operations as the work required will touch all Ayuda departments. Individuals will frequently engage in communication with internal staff and external supporters as excellent interpersonal skills will be critical to succeed in this role.  

The Summer 2026 internship lasts from May up until mid-August at the latest. We have 2 intern spots with the individuals joining to assist around 20-32 hours a week. In-office assistance will be required 1 - 2 day a week, preferrable Tuesdays or Wednesdays. And while primarily based at our DC office, individuals will need to travel to Silver Spring and Fairfax offices at least once a month. 

Departments Assisting: Ayuda’s Social Services and Development teams  

Responsible to: Our Community Outreach Specialist, Diana Fitz; as well as our Volunteer & Intern Manager, Connor Paul 

Responsibilities:  

• Identifying and implementing strategies to forge and/or strengthen partnerships with other organizations. 
• Supporting staff on how to utilize their network to increase company awareness and encourage referrals. 
• Participating in presentations with referring partners, utilizing personal knowledge and experience to create an impactful and meaningful impression. 
• Developing new referral sources by planning and organizing calls on potential referral outlets and other sources of prospective partners in the community. Possibility of participation in coalitions meetings. 
• Managing volunteer data entry from required documentation to monthly timesheets to hours tracking 
• Corresponding with volunteer sign ups to confirm receipt, request additional information, providing final details, or sending final thank you 
• Creating and managing of seasonal in-kind donation drives using Amazon Wishlist 
• Researching and drafting budget maps for partner organizations coordinating philanthropic events on our behalf   
• Supporting of volunteer-led programs that offer resources to our clients such as virtual English tutoring classes and skill-based workshops  
• Participating in Ayuda volunteer opportunities with eventual leading of such over time like those within our food pantry or client-interactive like our public transit training 
• Assisting with the needs assessment among departments for Fall 2026 cohort 
• Updating and editing internship descriptions in addition to posting on recruitment platforms Handshake, TWC, WII, and Symplicity among others. Also includes school-specific portals/listing pages  
• Managing intern data entry including the creation intern files, placement of onboarding and offboarding documentation within, monthly timesheet requests as well as hours tracking 
• Facilitating communication and professional development opportunities among the internship cohort in relation to program announcements, requests, and updates as a leader among peers  
• Updating and managing our volunteer appreciation board and intern get-to-know board at all three of our offices 
• Other administrative and research duties as tasked by both the volunteer & internship program manager and community outreach specialist. 

Position Qualifications:  

Required: 

• Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate program (or recent graduate) 
• Completion of at least one previous internship 
• General involvement in volunteering/volunteer opportunities over the years 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite package (SharePoint, Outlook, and Teams specifically) 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an outgoing disposition. Outreach will be a significant portion of the internship with communication to interns, volunteers, department directors, external partners, and other individuals required 
• Extremely organized; ability to track multiple programs, projects, and deadlines in addition to communication required. Able to multi-task efficiently and effectively 
• Results oriented with the ability to meet self-imposed deadlines 
• Creativity with a desire to present and try out new ideas 
• Be a team player and work effectively with others, including Ayuda staff and external individuals 
• Be receptive to feedback and willing to make necessary changes or adjustments to your work 
• Based in the Washington, DC region. Able to report to the office multiple times a week 
• While this internship will be based at our DC office, interns must be able to travel to our Silver Spring and Fairfax offices at least once a month to join our Volunteer & Intern Manager 
• Completion of background check 

Preferred: 

• Undergraduate upperclassmen (Junior, Senior, 5th year) or graduate student  
• Fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish 
• Previous volunteer leadership experience  
• Previous programmatic planning/management experience, preferably with a nonprofit, NGO, or CBO (community-based organization) 
• Previous experience working with/assisting the immigrant, refugee, asylee populations. 
• A valid driving license and access to a vehicle 

Commitment: We are looking for a summer intern who can dedicate roughly 20 - 32 hours per week for 10 – 12 weeks to provide programmatic and administrative support. The internship would begin around late May / early June and run up to mid-August at the latest. The exact start and end dates are flexible. Interns are expected to assist with internship responsibilities 3 - 4 days a week, with 1 - 2 days a week needed in the office. 

Compensation: This internship offers a stipend of $400 to cover the costs associated with completion of in-person days (transportation, gas, parking, food, etc.). Stipends are determined based on the number of in person days per week the specific internship requires.  Interns are welcome to complete more in person days than required but such days are not included in the internship stipend.  

Additionally, we will work with your institution or university to ensure that you are able to receive academic credit for the internship if applicable. 

Technology Needed: We will provide the intern with a laptop, and they will need to have access to reliable internet connection for video conferences and email communication when working remotely. 

Application: Please apply with a one-page letter of interest addressed to Ayuda, a current one-page resume. Applications can be emailed to admininternships@ayuda.com. Due to the heavy volume of applications received, we ask applicants to refrain from contacting us about applications status as all applicants will either be contacted for an interview request or upon the completion of our recruitment. 

Ayuda values an inclusive, diverse workplace and does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Ayuda is also committed to equal employment opportunity. Employment decisions are made consistent with both Ayuda's organizational values and the law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We also strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities we serve.