Early Childhood Project Intern

Organization Description

Family Futures’ mission is to shape a community in which all children are supported to reach their full potential. Our geographic focus is primarily Kent County with some services extending into other communities. We help children ages 0 through 5 by supporting parents, providing connections to resources and programs, and offering ways to monitor and enhance early childhood development. We believe in supporting our employees, volunteers, and interns to be successful as well. Family Futures offers a strength-based, learning-driven, quality improvement-based culture that celebrates equity and diversity and an opportunity to grow while making an impact in your community. Family Futures values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.   

Job Overview

The Early Childhood Project Intern will gain practical and hands-on experience with an understanding of nonprofit volunteer management. This position provides a well-rounded experience in networking, public relations, nonprofit work, volunteer management best practices, and project coordination. The internship will include helping the Volunteer Coordinator and Connections Program Coordinator with a large-scale project of distributing learning kits to children in Kent County.

This intern will be part of the larger team to provide support to other areas of the organization as needed. This internship position will receive a $500 stipend to help cover costs related to the internship (food, housing, transportation), and college credit can be earned. In addition, Family Futures requires all staff and interns to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. This internship is to be completed in person, not virtually.

This internship will run from September 3, through December 13, 2024, and will have a mandatory orientation on August 29, 2024, from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at the Family Futures’ office.  This internship can also be extended into multiple internship periods ending in either April 2025 or August 2025. If interested in a longer internship period, please reach out to the hiring manager.

Family Futures employees, volunteers, and interns serve as spokespersons and champions of Family Futures in the communities we serve. A position at Family Futures may entail the following: the use of a personal vehicle, lifting of boxes (roughly 25 lbs.), as well as attendance of community events outside of regularly scheduled hours. For any adaptations or accommodations for the above information, please reach out to the hiring manager.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support Family Futures programs and staff by coordinating day-to-day volunteer projects including the learning kit project.
• Assist coordination of volunteer appreciation and professional development opportunities
• Build relationships with current and future volunteers
• Aid in monthly program reporting, outcomes, and evaluation
• Network with local colleges, universities, businesses, and organizations to recruit volunteers
• Implement and revise current policies and procedures related to current grants and programs as needed
• Assist with assembly, coordination, and deliveries of educational/developmental materials in the community
• Assist with Connections and Volunteer program tasks, including mailings, outreach, enhancing partnerships, and recruitment
• Assist in the draft creation of the Learning Kit curriculum book for 2025 and included activities

Required Qualifications

• Current college student or recent graduate
• Interest in nonprofits
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Detail oriented
• Effective time management and organization, even with frequent interruptions
• Maintain confidentiality
• Strong relationship building skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to work autonomously
• Must be able to work in an office setting
• Willing to travel within the Greater Grand Rapids area including Kent Co as needed
• At least 15 hours per week

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Experience coordinating large groups
• Experience managing volunteers and/or being a volunteer
• Ability to work in a variety of capacities
• Interest in early childhood education
• General base knowledge of child development/developmental milestones