DownCity Design Program Impact 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 us squarely 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 Program Impact VISTA will develop lasting systems across three areas:
1. Building family and school communications tools (including bilingual outreach materials and a family newsletter); 2. Strengthening our program evaluation infrastructure (surveys, impact reports, data analysis); and 3. Compiling resources that will support Multi-Lingual Learners.

These systems will outlast the service year and directly expand opportunities for 300+ low-income youth annually. We are looking for an organized, mission-driven individual with strong written communication skills, comfort with data and surveys, and genuine enthusiasm for youth development and social justice. Spanish fluency is strongly preferred. You will gain hands-on experience in program evaluation, communications, and nonprofit capacity-building, with mentorship from experienced staff, professional development through RI's youth-serving sector, and access to our fabrication studio.

Service runs November 2026-November 2027.

Member Duties : Family and School Engagement:
Develop communications systems for students, families, and school partners; create a bilingual family newsletter (at least 3 per year); grow social media engagement; develop planning guide for family engagement events.

Program Evaluation:
Interview stakeholders on evaluation gaps; design new pre/post participant surveys; implement surveys and collect data; analyze results; create end-of-session impact reports; document evaluation tools for staff.

Support for Multi-Lingual Learners (MLL):
Research professional development resources; interview school-based MLL team; compile a staff resource library; identify trainers for DCD staff development.

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 :
Children/Youth,Education.

Skills :
Communications,Community Organization,Conflict Resolution,Education,Recruitment,Youth Development,Non-Profit Management,Team Work.