Communications Intern

Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Communications & Storytelling Intern

Internship Overview

CGLA seeks a Communications & Storytelling unpaid intern to support the organization’s

growing marketing and communications work. This internship offers a unique opportunity to

help amplify the voices and stories of people impacted by the criminal legal system while

gaining hands‑on experience in nonprofit communications, advocacy storytelling, and digital

media strategy.

The intern will work closely with the Communications Manager to support day‑to‑day

communications execution across social media, email marketing, storytelling projects, and

digital content management.

Key Responsibilities

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Draft captions and posts for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms

• Assist with scheduling content and maintaining the editorial calendar

• Engage with partner organizations by liking, commenting, and sharing relevant content

• Monitor and save trending audio for potential social media reels

• Upload videos and content to YouTube

• Track and organize social media analytics

Content Creation & Storytelling

• Draft social media content, short stories, and captions

• Assist with monthly newsletter content

• Support storytelling projects featuring clients, Leadership Council members, and community

partners

• Organize photos, videos, and testimonials for future storytelling campaigns

• Assist with website content or blog updates

Email & Newsletter Support

• Draft sections of monthly newsletters

• Resend unopened emails through Mailchimp

• Help track engagement and email analytics

• Format and organize email communications

Digital Asset Management

• Upload photos and videos to SharePoint

• Organize digital media libraries

• Create and update Canva templates aligned with CGLA branding

• Upload content into PowerPoint presentations

• Periodically check website links for functionality

Communications Planning Support

• Research relevant observances and awareness months

• Brainstorm content ideas for campaigns

• Assist in maintaining the communications editorial calendar

• Compile analytics reports to support communications strategy

Preferred Skills

• Interest in social justice, storytelling, advocacy, or nonprofit communications

• Strong writing and communication skills

• Familiarity with social media platforms

• Experience with Canva, graphic design, or video editing (preferred)

• Organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive

• Comfortable asking questions and working independently

• Interest in learning about communications strategy

Learning Opportunities

The Communications & Storytelling Intern will gain experience in:

• Nonprofit communications strategy

• Advocacy storytelling and narrative development

• Ethical storytelling practices when working with individuals impacted by the criminal legal

system

• Social media management and analytics

• Email marketing and supporter engagement

• Public speaking and message development

• Media relations and media pitch writing

• Digital asset management and brand consistency

• Content planning through an editorial calendar

Summer Capstone Project: CGLA Arts & Archives

Preserving Stories. Advancing Justice.

Project Overview

As their culminating summer project, the Communications & Storytelling Intern will support the

continued development of Cabrini Green Legal Aid’s Arts & Archives Exhibition — a living

archive that captures the organization’s 50+ year legacy of advancing justice through legal

advocacy, storytelling, and community power.

This project uses art, storytelling, and the humanities to highlight CGLA’s work within the

broader context of the U.S. criminal legal system, while amplifying the voices and lived

experiences of individuals and communities impacted by criminalization, poverty, and systemic

inequities.

The intern will play a key role in helping document, organize, and expand CGLA’s

storytelling archive, ensuring that the organization’s history, impact, and community narratives

are preserved and accessible for advocacy, education, and fundraising.

Final Deliverables

By the end of the internship, the intern will contribute to:

• A structured and organized digital storytelling archive

• A curated collection of community stories and testimonials

• Short-form video and social media storytelling content

• A highlight video showcasing the Arts & Archives initiative

• An archive index or guide to support future use across teams

Internship Dates:

Monday, June 1 – Friday, August 7 (10 Weeks)