Description:
The Youth as Changemakers Project trains and empowers young people to address issues impacting their health and wellbeing while strengthening community health in Dorchester and Fields Corner. Through leadership development, organizing, and community engagement, youth gain the skills to advocate for their communities and lead meaningful change.
The Fields Corner Crossroads Collaborative supports youth leadership through the Crossroads Youth Board (CYB) and Crossroads Youth Council (CYC), where young people lead initiatives such as student organizing campaigns, a $100,000 participatory budgeting process, health access projects, and peer-to-peer mental health workshops.
Interns receive professional and personal development opportunities that build leadership, facilitation, project management, and community organizing skills while working directly on initiatives that impact their communities.
Purpose of the Role:
Engage post–high school and college-age young adults in meaningful community health and organizing initiatives
Increase the capacity of the Crossroads administrative and backbone teams to support collaborative projects and partnerships
Expand the leadership structure of the Crossroads Youth Board by creating more defined roles and responsibilities
Create opportunities for mentorship, specialization, and career development within youth leadership spaces
Support youth-led projects that center health equity, community wellness, and systems change
Opportunities
What opportunities does this role provide?
Opportunity to lead and contribute to projects that can be showcased professionally and academically
Hands‑on experience supporting community campaigns, initiatives, and neighborhood‑based programming
Direct exposure to nonprofi t leadership, community organizing, public health, and collaborative work
Networking opportunities with community leaders, organizers, health professionals, and partner organizations
Mentorship and coaching aligned with interns’ professional interests and career goals
Training opportunities in
Community health and health equity
Community organizing and civic engagement
Facilitation and workshop design
Youth leadership development
Participatory decision‑making processes
Interns may focus their work within one of Crossroads’ three core focus areas:
Youth Development – supporting the Crossroads Youth Council and youth leadership initiatives
Peace Zones – community wellness, safe spaces, and neighborhood activation
Housing Justice – advocacy and organizing related to housing stability and displacement
Duties & Responsibilities: Youth Development & Leadership
Support and mentor Crossroads Youth Board members
Assist Youth Coordinators in developing youth leadership initiatives and programming
Help facilitate Crossroads Youth Board and Youth Council meetings, workshops, and activities
Support youth engagement, outreach, and leadership development efforts
Community Engagement & Events
Attend community meetings, events, and outreach activities
Represent and uplift Crossroads initiatives within the community
Assist with event planning, coordination, and facilitation
Crossroads Initiatives
Support the design and implementation of the Crossroads Participatory Budget process
Assist with student organizing initiatives focused on issues impacting young people in schools and communities
Co‑design and support peer-to-peer mental health workshops and wellness initiatives
Support communications, outreach, and administrative tasks connected to collaborative projects
Qualifications: Graduated high school or currently in senior year of high school
Enrollment in a trade/technical program, college, or university preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Passion for health equity, youth leadership, and community organizing
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
Interest in public health, advocacy, civic engagement, or nonprofi t/community-based work preferred
Hours: 20-25 hrs /wk
