Community Engagement Intern
I AM ALS Community Engagement Intern
Reports to: Depending on role, the Communications Manager or the Organizing Manager.
Location: Remote.
About I AM ALS
I AM ALS is a patient-centric movement revolutionizing how to end disease. The nonprofit provides critical support and resources to people with ALS, caregivers, and loved ones. We empower advocates to raise awareness and lead the movement against ALS in driving the development of cures. Founded in 2019 by husband and wife team Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, I AM ALS was born out of their desire to rewrite the ALS story for Brian and the tens of thousands of other people with ALS.
The Opportunity:
In just five years, I AM ALS has established itself as a force for driving change in ALS through a patient-centric model. Through compelling storytelling, community-driven outreach, and media with digital marketing tactics, we have ignited a revolution that is now powered by an advocate network of more than 40,000 strong. Through this organized network, we have been able to pass key legislation, host awareness events nationwide, provide direct support to thousands impacted by ALS, and more. But we have a lot more work to do, both to deepen our relationships and collaborative efforts with those already part of the I AM ALS movement and to change the fact that far too many Americans still do not know that ALS is a 100% fatal disease.
Our two new Community Engagement Interns will have an opportunity to work directly with our growing community, supporting and sustaining grassroots efforts to put an end to ALS. For anyone interested in a future in patient advocacy, community organizing, or digital engagement, this internship will provide space and mentoring as you hone your skills in movement building.
What you’ll do:
The Community Engagement Intern will support one of two departments at I AM ALS: Organizing or Marketing & Communications. These departments work collaboratively to increase active participation and community empowerment at I AM ALS. Examples of projects an intern will support include:
- Assisting with community outreach to increase ALS awareness and education and gather the stories of those living with ALS, their caregivers and families.
- Engaging with community partners, businesses, schools, and content creators to help generate opportunities for community members to share their experiences of ALS.
- Supporting event planning of our annual Summit event, a 3-day advocacy and community event in Washington, DC.
- Supporting logistics around local- or community-based events around the country, led by community members.
- Researching and piloting social media strategies to increase digital engagement around our advocacy efforts.
- Supporting administrative processes around our community teams, grassroots fundraisers, and communications.
Who you are:
If you’re joining us as an intern, we know you might have limited traditional professional experience or lived experience of ALS, but don’t let that deter you. We also know, and expect, that in place of those experiences you will bring a wealth of personal knowledge, skills, and passion to the table. As a team we care deeply for one another, supporting each other and our extended team (community members) through the devastation that is the ALS experience. We move quickly and relentlessly, striving to bring our best to our work. We also give each space to rest, heal, and grieve as needed. If you join us as an intern, we expect you to uphold these same standards. Here are a few of the other characteristics we’d be looking for an intern to bring:
- Ability to be detail oriented, meticulous, and highly organized.
- Comfort and enjoyment in engaging with team and community members on Zoom. Ability to help create a sense of safety in our Community Team meetings, where people living with or impacted by ALS can be vulnerable.
- Curiosity about the organization, our work, and those you meet, bringing a lens of cultural humility.
- Go-getter energy. You’re eager to learn and will be proactive about getting things done.
The details:
- Interns are expected to work between 10-15 hours per week (depending on program), Monday-Friday, for the Spring 2025 semester (January-May 2025). Exact schedule will be arranged with the intern’s supervisor. This internship is fully remote.
- Each intern will receive a stipend of $1,500 to $2,000 for the semester, confirmed in advance depending on the weekly schedule determined. The stipend will be payable in 5 equal monthly installments at the end of each month.