DownCity Design Community Engagement VISTA

AmeriCorps & Senior Corps; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare assistance

Education Award

End of Service Stipend

Health Coverage

Living Allowance

Relocation Allowance

Training

Job summary

DownCity Design is seeking a community-minded VISTA to support Cranston Street outreach, alumni engagement, and fundraising communications in Providence, RI. The role emphasizes relationship-building, social justice, and youth development with mentorship from experienced staff.

You will contribute to outreach events, youth recruitment, and program communications while gaining experience in nonprofit development and community organizing across Rhode Island.

Qualifications

• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Commitment to social justice and youth development.
• Experience with community outreach and volunteer coordination.

Responsibilities

• Neighborhood Outreach: Develop an outreach plan and materials; organize volunteers for door-to-door and event-based outreach to 50+ households and businesses; facilitate a community welcome event; help design teen recruitment tools; document community feedback in a written report.
• Alumni Network and Mentorship: Strengthen our capacity for alumni outreach and help develop alumni events; develop an alumni database and communication system; research mentorship models; create a mentorship framework; develop matching tool to connect alumni and current students.
• Communications and Development: Audit existing materials; develop updated case-for-support materials and website content; post program content weekly on social media; build corporate sponsorship program; create planning tools for engagement events for local design professionals; support Annual Fund and donor stewardship.

Skills

Communications

Community Organization

Education

Fund raising/Grant Writing

Recruitment

Writing/Editing

Youth Development

Non-Profit Management

Urban Planning

Team Work

Job description

DownCity Design Community Engagement VISTA

DownCity Design (DCD) is a community design studio that empowers teens to strengthen their communities through the creative power of the design process. Since 2009, 3900+ young people in our programs have designed and built 125+ real amenities for public spaces across Rhode Island. In 2024, we opened a permanent Community Design Studio at 370 Cranston Street in Providence's West End, one of the city's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, putting down roots in the community we serve. Providence is a walkable, arts-rich city with a strong nonprofit sector and easy access to Boston and New York.The Community Engagement VISTA will have 3 major project goals: 1. Introduce DCD to our Cranston Street neighbors through planning community outreach and listening events; 2. Build our alumni network and help develop a youth-to-professional mentorship infrastructure; and 3. Strengthen our communications and fundraising capacity through updated materials, weekly social media content, and an enhanced corporate sponsorship program.This work shapes who we become as a neighborhood institution. We’re looking for a creative, community-minded individual with strong writing and communication skills, enthusiasm for relationship-building, and a genuine commitment to social justice and youth development. Comfort with social media and basic graphic design tools is a plus; Spanish language ability is valued. You’ll gain experience in community organizing, nonprofit communications, fund development, and alumni engagement, with mentorship from experienced staff and access to a network of designers, creatives, and youth development professionals across RI. Service runs November 2026 - November 2027.

Member Duties

• Neighborhood Outreach: Develop an outreach plan and materials; organize volunteers for door-to-door and event-based outreach to 50+ households and businesses; facilitate a community welcome event; help design teen recruitment tools; document community feedback in a written report.
• Alumni Network and Mentorship: Strengthen our capacity for alumni outreach and help develop alumni events; develop an alumni database and communication system; research mentorship models; create a mentorship framework; develop matching tool to connect alumni and current students.
• Communications and Development: Audit existing materials; develop updated case-for-support materials and website content; post program content weekly on social media; build corporate sponsorship program; create planning tools for engagement events for local design professionals; support Annual Fund and donor stewardship.

Program Benefits

• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Education award upon successful completion of service
• Health Coverage*
• Living Allowance
• Relocation Allowance
• Training

Terms

Permits attendance at school during off hours,Permits working at another job during off hours.

Service Areas

None

Skills

• Communications
• Community Organization
• Education
• Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Recruitment
• Writing/Editing
• Youth Development
• Non-Profit Management
• Urban Planning
• Team Work

DownCity Design Community Engagement VISTA