Communications Intern
Internship Overview
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (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.
Key Responsibilities
- Social Media & Digital Engagement
- Draft captions and posts for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms
- Affiliate 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
- Affiliate with monthly newsletter content
- Support storytelling projects featuring clients, Leadership Council members, and community partners
- Organize photos, videos, and testimonials for future storytelling campaigns
- Affiliate 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
- Affiliate in maintaining the communications editorial calendar
- Compile analytics reports to support communications strategy
- 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
- 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
- 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
Preferred Skills
Learning Opportunities
Summer Capstone Project: CGLA Arts & Archives
Preserving Stories. Advancing Justice.
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
Internship Dates
Monday, June 1 – Friday, August 7 (10 Weeks)
To Apply
Send your resume to Jada Lawrence: communications@cgla.net
Administration
Chicago, IL