Operations Internship (Academic Year)
Overview of On The Rise, Inc.
On The Rise, Inc. (OTR) is a dynamic Cambridge, MA-based non-profit founded in 1995 that serves women, trans, and non-binary people currently/formerly experiencing homelessness throughout the region. Our Safe Haven day program provides a space where participants can meet some of their tangible needs, such as taking a shower, receiving their mail, or doing laundry, as well as meet one-on-one with advocates to work on longer-term goals. The Keep The Keys program supports our participants as they transition into stable housing and the opportunities and challenges that presents. Our innovative approach supports our participants’ initiative and core strengths to help them find safety and discover new possibilities. OTR is committed to social justice, dismantling oppression, and striving to be an anti-racist organization.
At On The Rise, the core of our work is building authentic, long-term relationships with program participants. Through these relationships we foster the trust and belonging that is foundational to people’s feelings of agency, empowerment, and safety in community. Program participants display enormous strength and ingenuity in coping with challenges such as homelessness, domestic violence, mental illness, the after-effects of childhood abuse, involvement in the legal system, systemic oppression, and intergenerational trauma. We work to meet people where they are and follow their self-determined visions of success as they navigate structural barriers and challenges. We strive to create a low-threshold environment where people can bring their whole selves, while also holding each individual accountable to the community.
For more information, please visit our website: www.ontherise.org
Description of Position
The Operations Intern will primarily assist OTR’s administrative team in resource management, directing incoming phone calls, and operations office requests such as copying, faxing, and printing documents. The Operations Intern will learn to effectively communicate participant needs to the program team, providing information about Safe Haven services and other local resources when possible. Like all staff members at OTR, the intern will build authentic, supportive relationships with program participants and gain experience with the population OTR serves, learning about the variety and complexity of participants’ challenges, and the cumulative impact of trauma in their lives. Interns will utilize their training to streamline support for the program team and make services more accessible.
Be an extra set of hands for the team. Assignments will be directed by the Operations Coordinator, additional direction that may come from Resource And Volunteer Coordinator, Finance and Admin Specialist, Director of Finance and Operations, or Program Team.
OTR’s internships are compensated by a stipend of $17/hour for 16 hours per week. Our academic year internship runs from September, 2025 through May, 2026.
Qualifications:
The Operations Internship requires a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week for the academic year. College juniors, seniors or graduates are preferred. Interns are directed by the Operations Coordinator and supervised by the Director of Finance and Operations.
Responsibilities:
Operations Office:
- Answer and direct phone calls to appropriate team members
- Assist with printing, copying, and faxing needs
- Document participant interactions in the red book
- Assist with sorting and distributing the mail
- Print stamps, intake packets, and program sign-up sheets
Program Support:
- Restock Safe Haven with inventory from the basement storage:
- Snacks and drinks, toiletries, menstrual products, survival supplies, etc.
- Clothing Room restock as directed
- Inventory
- Assist with putting away supply and food deliveries as needed
- Use ordering forms to facilitate weekly purchasing
Celebrations and Morale:
- Create annual birthday and anniversary content in Canva
- Create cards for special staff events
- Join in on Safe Haven activities with participants and build relationships
- Identify instances of advocacy to be anonymized as Sample Happenings for the board report
Longer Term Projects
- Inventory Maintenance
- Tracking usage of supplies to improve ordering processes and help to evaluate seasonal fluctuations
- Create referral directory for incoming phone calls
- Participant Creative Project
- ex: a zine, a poetry collection, a newspaper, a cookbook, or other community-building project
Based on the needs of the organization, the ideal candidate will be available Wednesday (Half Day ~12:00-4:00), Thursday (Full Day ~8:00-4:00), Friday (Half Day ~12:00-4:00). Please note your availability in your application as scheduling adjustments may be possible.
On The Rise is partially supported by MOVA through the 1984 VOCA grant from the Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
On The Rise recognizes the importance and benefits of diversity in the workplace and the community. We are an AA/EOE, and we strongly encourage people who are bilingual/bicultural, people of color, people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA2+ communities, trans, and non-binary people to apply. OTR is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact emma.rebholz@ontherise.org.
How to Apply:
Please address these questions in a cover letter:
1. What excites you about On The Rise’s mission?
2. What are your strongest skills and qualifications that will help you in this internship?
3. What do you hope to learn?
Apply by submitting your résumé and cover letter as attachments to: emma.rebholz@ontherise.org with “Operations Internship” in the subject line.