Out in the Neighborhood or In the School: CBOs Offer Wide Range of Roles

Whether they’re out in the neighborhood or at their school, PIC school-year interns are gaining critical professional skills and earning wages. Our community and school partners offer students the opportunity to continue work-based learning during the school year.  

Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) 

Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE)—a neighborhood-based, environmental justice and transit-oriented development nonprofit—empowers students to serve their communities. Located in Roxbury, the organization seeks to address environmental racism and classism, creating a healthy and sustainable neighborhood. Their youth-led group, Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP), develops youth leadership in community organizing by providing the guidance and tools necessary for running campaigns. Currently, REEP is tackling the issues of air quality and food justice.

ACE intern Vi’Shon Ginyard works on REEP’s Grow or Die food justice initiative, a program that turns vacant lots into community gardens. “Since the very day that I first went to one of our gardens, until when I actually planted something myself and even up until now, even just talking about it—I really love what I do,” shares the Madison Park senior.  “I feel like it actually helps the community, especially when we go into vacant lots and change them into something that’s actually useful. It can really help the neighborhood that we’re in.” 

In addition to helping the community, Ginyard notes that his internship at ACE has greatly increased his public speaking skills. On his first day on the job, Ginyard attended a State House march and was encouraged to lead chants by program director Hakim Sutherland. “I was a very introverted guy. I didn’t like talking at all,” says Ginyard. With the support of Sutherland, Ginyard says that moment “really got me out of my shell allowed me to realize that I like talking in front of people.” He continues to use his public speaking skills as he participates in Grow or Die—recently, he gave a speech on air quality at a Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition (MYCC) event.  

After graduating from Madison Park, Ginyard aims to continue at ACE and delve deeper into the world of youth development and community organizing. He’s following in big footsteps—Sutherland now leads the program that he also joined as a student intern. “I’m basically carrying on the legacy that they built here, and I feel like I’m building my own as I’m doing so,” says Ginyard.  

East Boston High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program 

Student internships look a bit different over at the East Boston High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program. Rather than being worksite-based, CTE Program students work within the school during their free periods. Open to juniors and seniors, the CTE Program provides hands-on applied learning experiences that build career skills in specific fields. The CTE student interns assist school staff in a wide range of roles and departments, such as helping school police with translation and paperwork, providing special education teachers with an extra set of hands, and managing the athletic department website. 

Chris Leone, the Radio & TV CTE Pathway teacher and supervisor of the CTE internship program, emphasizes that the students’ work greatly contributes to the school. “The impact on departments is great,” he says. “Every department that I talked to would say, ‘can I have an intern?’ They all want them now. So it’s a rare win-win for everybody involved.” For high school staff whose time may be spread thin, the student interns provide much-needed help. 

Davi Ferreira, a senior, spends two days a week tutoring fellow dual enrollment students in math. Building upon his experience tutoring during past summer internships, he’s learned how to excel in his role. “The main work responsibility is making sure that whoever needs help understands, not by giving them the answer, but by helping them reach the answer,” he says. “I feel like that’s a big responsibility because it’s easy to just tell somebody the answer, but it’s harder to teach them and help them understand.”  

In addition to expanding his tutoring skills, Ferreira’s internship has also led to a growth in his interpersonal skills. “I learned that I really do have potential in teaching and helping,” he shares. “I also learned I am good at making conversation and keeping people comfortable.” After graduation, Ferreira plans on attending college to study engineering. He says that the skills he’s developed through his internship have made him more prepared for the next stage of his educational and career journey.  

These school-year positions are funded by YouthWorks, a state-wide youth employment program managed by Commonwealth Corporation and administered by the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. School-year jobs are also funded by the City’s SuccessLink program.  

More Spotlights