INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Community Engagement Internship

CompanyBoston Public Health Commission
LocationRoxbury
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJune 15, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will build relationships with residents and grassroots organizations to identify gaps in violence prevention strategies. They will support pilot efforts, document outcomes, and help translate community feedback into effective programming.
Internship Type
internship
Company Size
874
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →

You'll be redirected to
the company's application page

About The Company
Welcome! We’re Boston’s public health department. We work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. We envision a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. Equity. Collaboration. Anti-Racism. People-Centered. Transparency. These values drive our public health work and shape how we support and empower our employees every day. Through our policies, programs, and services, we strive to eliminate health disparities based on race, ethnicity, income, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and neighborhood. We support residents and families with over 40 programs and services that meet community needs across our neighborhoods and lifespan, including accessible community-based health and social services; community engagement and advocacy; health-promoting policies and regulations; disease and injury prevention; emergency services; and health promotion and education services. We are equally committed to investing in our people by fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment where everyone can grow, contribute and make an impact. As the nation's oldest health department, with roots dating back to 1799, our work has evolved from the needs of then to the needs of now. We provide and support accessible, high-quality community-based health services and programming, education and resources to build a healthy Boston. We are a group of dedicated neighbors and community members ready to meet the moment and deliver a safer, healthier Boston for our residents. Join us and grow your career in a workplace that values innovation, equity, and professional development. Explore career opportunities at careers.bphc.org.
About the Role

Village in Progress (VIP), a community violence prevention initiative within the Boston Public Health Commission, is seeking interns passionate about public health, community engagement, and violence prevention. VIP works alongside residents, grassroots organizations, and community partners to build safer, stronger neighborhoods through healing-centered programming, outreach, and collaboration. Interns will gain hands-on experience supporting community initiatives, partnerships, events, and outreach efforts while contributing to meaningful, community-driven work across Boston.

 

The intern will focus heavily on community engagement, working alongside the VIP team to build real relationships with residents, partners, and grassroots organizations and understand what is actually happening on the ground. From there, they will help shape our prevention strategies by identifying gaps, testing ideas, and translating what we are hearing in community into real programming. This includes supporting pilot efforts, documenting what is working, and helping us refine our approach so that our work stays rooted in community and actually leads to stronger, more effective violence prevention.

 

Through this internship, participants will help advance VIP’s mission to:

 

  • Prevent violence before it starts
  • Support healing, reflection, and community growth
  • Build leadership and opportunity within neighborhoods
  • Strengthen partnerships across systems and organizations
  • Uplift the voices and leadership of individuals most impacted by violence
  • Through community outreach, partnership building, and healing-centered violence prevention work with Village in Progress (VIP), interns will help advance the Boston Public Health Commission’s commitment to becoming an antiracist organization by supporting equitable community engagement, uplifting resident voices, and helping address systemic barriers that disproportionately impact communities affected by violence.

 

By joining Village in Progress, interns become part of a collective effort to create villages where everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone is safer together.

Qualifications
  • Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social
    determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial
    justice and health equity.
  • Commitment to health equity and racial/social justice issues
  • Undergraduate/ Graduate in community health, nutrition, public health, social work, health communications or related field of study.
Key Skills
Community EngagementPublic HealthViolence PreventionOutreachPartnership BuildingProgram DevelopmentRacial JusticeHealth EquitySocial Determinants of HealthCommunity Organizing
Categories
Government & Public SectorHealthcareSocial ServicesScience & Research
Community Engagement Internship - InternshipsHQ