Communications Intern

About Cabrini Green Legal Aid Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within Chicago’s Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and statewide leader in proactively filling the void of legal representation, wraparound services, legal information and resources, and advocacy exclusively for low‑income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community’s quality of life. CGLA’s Mission, Purpose and Vision Mission: We provide holistic legal services that include social support services and advocacy for individuals and communities negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Purpose: CGLA exists to remove barriers to equity in the criminal legal system. Vision: A more just and equitable criminal legal system. 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 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 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) TO APPLY Send your resume to Jada Lawrence: View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr Cabrini Green Legal Aid