DownCity Design Community Engagement VISTA

Down City 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.

• 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.

• 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

• For details about Ameri Corps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit  .

• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Permits working at another job during off hours

None

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

Ameri Corps VISTA

Down City Design Community Engagement VISTA

11/16/2026 - 11/15/2027

Full Time

High school diploma/GED

Minimum: 18 Maximum:
None

RHODE ISLAND

English

From 09/24/2026 To 11/22/2026

Adrienne Gagnon

Down City Design

Providence RI 02907

adrienne

https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org