Program/Advocacy Internship 

Currently accepting applications through September 1, 2025.

Position: Program/Advocacy Intern 

Description: The primary objective for this position is, with limited supervision, to perform varied and complex duties that assist Rainbows’ program growth needs. We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Program Intern to assist with curriculum development, caregiver engagement, facilitator resources, and program evaluation. This internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit program development and is ideal for students in psychology, child development, public health, social work, or other related fields. This position reports to the Program Coordinator and Executive Director.   

Schedule: 12-25 hours/week, 10am-4pm (flexible) 

Minimum 12 hours a week; in office at least 2 days a week. Must be in-person Monday during the day, choosing Wednesday or Thursday for other in-person days. Remote Tuesdays and Fridays.   

Start Date: September 2025 (flexible) 

End Date: June/May 2026 (flexible) 

Compensation: Unpaid; eligible for course credit or field placement hours. 

Location: Evanston, IL. Hybrid with In-person element required.  

Essential Job Responsibilities:  

• Assist in the development and adaptation of age-appropriate SEL curriculum related to grief and loss for children and youth ages 4–25; 

• Research and design alternative group activities that align with curriculum goals, providing facilitators with creative and accessible options; 

• Support the launch and content creation for the new caregiver newsletter, caregiver program syllabi, and broader communication tools to enhance family engagement.; 

• Assist with the rollout and data collection/analysis of surveys from caregivers, youth, and facilitators to evaluate and strengthen programs; 

• Organize and maintain the facilitator training dashboard and associated materials. 

• Develop original informational materials on topics related to grief, SEL, and caregiver/facilitator support; 

• Research and stay current on trends and best practices in SEL, youth development, and mental health; 

• Complete Rainbows’ training to become a Certified Rainbows Facilitator; 

• Assist in the planning and moderation of Rainbows’ 4th Virtual International Conference (Spring 2026); 

• Represent Rainbows at virtual and in-person events and meetings, supporting outreach and organization visibility 

• Attend events and meetings as needed;  

• Other relevant tasks as needed.     

Experience/Skills Required:  

• Junior/Senior undergraduate student or graduate student in psychology, education, social work, child development, public health, or a related field. 

• Lived experience, knowledge, and/or coursework in grief, trauma, or loss is a plus. 

• Passion for youth advocacy, grief support/mental health, and SEL. 

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with attention to details. 

• Strong creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to think flexibly and generate innovative solutions in a collaborative environment. 

• Ability to conduct thorough research on current practices, trends, and data in child/youth mental health and education. 

• Interest in group facilitation; opportunity available to run or co-run a Rainbows peer support group during internship (optional). 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook); experience with Canva, Photoshop, or other media design tools preferred. 

• Fluency in Spanish, French, or Arabic (written and verbal) is a plus. 

This position can be used for academic credit, SIGP, work study or service-learning, be sure to mention in your cover letter.  

Apply

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