Student Community Action Network (SCAN)

ArtVan is on a mission to promote equity and accessibility by delivering mobile art therapy for transformational healing to people in their communities. We bring our community based group art therapy programs to underserved communities in Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Portland, Lewsiton, Auburn, Rumford and Mexico. The majority of our program participants are youth 3-18, young adults, and seniors.

Projects may include:

1) Support ArtVan's grant work, including but not limited to research, application, reporting and grant management.

2) Support ArtVan's marketing and communication efforts, including but not limited to filming program for donor content, helping craft donor messages, draft press releases, help with cataloging art work online for art exhibit and other necessary event/marketing work

Skills Needed:

Both roles will require strong writing skills, ability to work independently and with a team, strong communication skills, flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and needs typical of small nonprofit settings, an open-minded approach to work and a commitment to embracing art as a transformative approach to well-being.

Internship Location: 

Mostly remote, some in person. (Various locations, but main office in Brunswick. Could walk or drive)

The Bath Area Family YMCA is a nonprofit organization serving a 14-town region in Midcoast Maine, focused on strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We serve children, families, older adults, and individuals across the lifespan through programs including early childhood education, chronic disease prevention, food access, aquatics, and community wellness. Our work is rooted in community partnerships and focused on creating access, connection, and long-term impact.

Projects may include:

SCAN students placed with the Bath Area Family YMCA will support capacity-building projects focused on grant writing, research, and impact storytelling, with direct mentorship from the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropic Impact. Students may research funding opportunities, assist with drafting and editing grant narratives, and help translate program data and participant experiences into compelling stories for proposals, reports, and donor communications. The experience will provide exposure to the full grant lifecycle—from research and writing to reporting and stewardship—offering a well-rounded understanding of nonprofit development and philanthropy. Ongoing work may include collaboration with program staff, participation in planning meetings, and contributing to written materials that support funding and sustainability efforts.

Skills Needed:

We are seeking students who are strong writers, detail-oriented, and interested in nonprofit work, public service, public health, policy, or storytelling for impact. Curiosity, professionalism, and the ability to manage projects independently while collaborating with a team are essential. Experience with research, writing, communications, or data analysis is helpful but not required—students will receive mentorship and guidance throughout the placement.

Internship Location: 

Mostly in person, some remote. (Located in Bath)

Bath Housing is committed to advancing housing solutions so people from all backgrounds and income levels can live, work and thrive. We serve low- and moderate-income households, older adults, people with disabilities, and families. On a daily basis, we develop and manage affordable housing, administer housing assistance programs, provide resident services and supportive programming, and partner with local organizations to strengthen housing stability and community well-being.

Projects may include:

We have two potential projects:

1) Administer a Resident Satisfaction Survey to all Bath Housing residents to understand tenant experiences, priorities, and areas for improvement across Bath Housing properties. The student will coordinate outreach and data collection, analyze results, and present findings to inform organizational planning.

2) Administer a resident health and wellness survey for residents at Bath Housing properties that target older adults and people with disabilities in order to better understand health needs, service gaps, and opportunities for supportive programming. The student will coordinate resident outreach, analyze results, and share findings to inform partnerships and enhance aging-in-place initiatives.

Skills Needed:

The student should have strong written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational skills with the ability to manage timelines and tasks independently, and an interest is basic research and data collection. They should be comfortable working with diverse populations and maintaining confidentiality, and proficient with common tools such as Microsoft Office, and basic spreadsheets. Basic data analysis skills and cultural competence and sensitivity when working with older adults and vulnerable populations are also important.

Internship Location: 

Half in person, half remote. (Located in Bath, in driving or taxi voucher distance)

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, with a vision that all youth achieve their full potential.

Projects may include:

The intern will help to expand partnership opportunities that enhance programming for our Bigs and Littles. The intern will research prospective local businesses and organizations, develop printed materials and engaging PowerPoint presentations, and assist in crafting and delivering partnership pitches. This role offers hands-on experience in nonprofit outreach, relationship building, marketing, and community engagement while directly supporting impactful mentoring matches.

Skills Needed:

We are seeking students with strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to conduct thorough research and present information clearly and professionally. Ideal candidates are organized, proactive, and comfortable creating marketing materials and presentations using tools such as Canva and PowerPoint. An interest in community engagement, nonprofit work, and building relationships with local businesses and organizations is highly valued.

Internship Location: 

Mostly remote, some in person. (Located in Brunswick. Could walk or drive)

Community Organizing Alliance (COA) is a social justice, civic engagement organization which educates, empowers and engages young people centering Black and immigrant voices.

Our constituents are Black and immigrant youth under the age of 30. We aim to uplift and elevate the voices and experiences of these underserved and underrepresented communities by advocating for policies at the state and local level. We do this through several ways, advocacy work, electoral work and direct service.

Projects may include: 

We would like to have support with our workforce development program, helping to organize workshops to support immigrant community members seeking to develop job skills or connect with employers.

Skills needed:

We would welcome anyone who is enthusiastic about our mission, and we would prefer students with organizational or social media experience 

Internship Location:

Mostly Remote, some in-person. (Their work is often in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area and Augusta, accessible by car)

Our mission is to preserve and protect Harpswell’s natural resources, cultural heritage and access to the outdoors now and forever through conservation, stewardship and education. Our constituents are made up of year round and seasonal residents of Harpswell as well as the greater Brunswick/Topsham area. Our work involves stewardship of our conserved lands and youth/adult environmental and heritage programming.

Projects may include: 

We are able to offer two types of experiences for a potential intern.

1) For the student that would like a diverse experience in several areas of conservation work (i.e., programming, digital marketing, fundraising, stewardship), we are able to offer a basket of mini projects in these areas.

2) For the student that would like to focus more in one area, we can offer more in-depth projects in community programming (e.g., designing, marketing, and implementing events), marketing & fundraising (e.g., creating digital marketing design templates for digital and physical newsletters, flyers, social posts, etc.)

Skills needed:

Depending on the experiences sought above: design (e.g., Adobe Suite), social media marketing, public speaking, community engagement, event planning.

Internship Location:

Mostly Remote, some in-person. (Their work is located in Harpswell, in driving or taxi voucher distance)

The Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM) advances equitable, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and community-centered support for immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and other “New Mainers,” helping individuals and families build stability, wellbeing, and belonging. We also intentionally build bridges between New Mainers and lifelong Mainers—strengthening compassion, intercultural competence, and meaningful connection so communities can better understand, integrate with, and support one another. Our constituents include multilingual newcomer communities across Maine as well as local volunteers, partners, and community members engaged in building a more welcoming, integrated Maine.

Projects may include: 

Over the 50-hour placement, student(s) will complete two complementary projects: (1) develop a multilingual resource hub on the IRCM website supported by Google Workspace organization, and (2) support and facilitate Bridges to Belonging (formerly Conversational English) sessions virtually and, when it is safe to conduct, in person. Student time will be structured across the following workstreams: Resource/Material Development & Content Creation (resource development, drafting translation-ready pages/guides, and building hub content), Session & Student Support (facilitation, participation support, and session readiness), Insights, Strategy, Reflection, & Continuous Improvement (debriefs, gap analysis, and recommendations), Communications & Material Management (Drive structure, version control, indexing, and template-based communications), and Administration & Coordination (check-ins, scheduling, tracking, and documentation). Through these workstreams, students will help ensure resources are accessible across languages, sessions are welcoming and consistent, and both projects become easier for staff to maintain long-term.

Skills needed:

We’re looking for students who are organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with websites and shared-file systems (basic web editing/content management; Google Drive/Docs/Sheets), as well as students who are comfortable facilitating small-group learning spaces. Strong communication skills, cultural humility, and an ability to write clearly for the public (plain language) are important, since the hub must be accessible and trustworthy for multilingual communities. Language skills (Portuguese, French, Somali, Arabic, Swahili) and/or experience with tutoring, ESL conversation practice, translation workflows, accessibility, or information architecture are a plus, but not required.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their work is located in Brunswick in driving or taxi voucher distance)

Supporting adults and children with disabilities to live full and inclusive lives in their chosen communities through residential group homes, Spindleworks Art Studio and Gallery, case management, and more. We serve individuals and families who benefit from access to supportive services, inclusive programs, and opportunities for growth and engagement. Our work includes providing direct program support, building community partnerships, and creating opportunities that strengthen well-being and participation in everyday life.

Projects may include:

Students could support a project such as assisting with the planning and promotion of a community program or event, including outreach, content creation, and basic evaluation of participation. They may also help organize resources, update databases, or develop materials that strengthen communication with participants, families, or partners.

During the fall, we host our Annual Dinner fundraising event and are planning a dedicated fundraiser in October to support our Gardiner Spindleworks location. Fundraising projects may also include support for our annual appeal, such as assisting with donor outreach, preparing mailings, and helping track engagement and responses.

Skills Needed:

We are looking for students who demonstrate strong communication skills, reliability, and a genuine interest in community-based or mission-driven work. Experience with teamwork, organization, and basic technology tools (e.g., email, spreadsheets, social media, or document creation) is helpful, along with a willingness to learn, take initiative, and interact respectfully with diverse populations.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is located in Brunswick)

The Merrymeeting Food Council (MFC) is a collaborative network of farms, fisheries, businesses, nonprofits, government, and individuals working together to advance the food system in the 14 towns surrounding Merrymeeting Bay. MFC seeks to advance a thriving, resilient, and equitable food system that supports the health and natural resources of our communities. Our work involves running a few core programs, convening partners organizations to work collaboratively, and communications work.

Projects may include:

Communications and Outreach. The fellow could support a variety of communications projects depending on their particular interests and skills, but a primary focus will be on a farm employee storytelling project. This fellow will build on work done in 2024 & 2025 by SCAN fellows and MFC staff.

The state of Maine and New England have a set a goal of 30% local food consumption by 2030; local food consumption in Maine is currently 3-4%. We would like to continue telling the stories of the people who produce local food and are needed to reach this goal, and who are also on the front lines of several intersecting challenges including climate change, and a lack of housing and transportation needed to support thriving rural businesses like farms.

Skills Needed:

We are looking for a student with strong communication skills who is comfortable conducting interviews. Students will learn how to use interview equipment, learn about interview protocols, data management, transcribing and coding interviews. Skills/experience that could be helpful, but are not necessary: photography or audio equipment experience, and proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. 

Internship Location:

Mostly remote, some in-person. (Their office is located in Brunswick)

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) is located in Brunswick, Maine and is the largest hunger relief and prevention agency in the midcoast region serving over 1.2 million meals. Our mission is to offer dignity and empowerment by providing all members of our community with access to healthy food. MCHPP operates two facilities, our Food Access Center which includes a Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry and our Warehouse and Administrative Facility includes our Food Bank, Neighborhood Delivery Programs, Community Kitchen, and Gleaning Program. We serve communities in Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties.

We have a current volunteer base of approximately 900 volunteers. They dedicate their time to volunteering the many programs that we have here at MCHPP and serving their community.

Projects may include:

This student would be working mainly in our on-site access programs; our Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen helping within the volunteer shifts to manage volunteer projects and interact with our community members utilizing our services.

We'd be happy to have the student work in any program that they find interesting and provide opportunities for the student to engage in other aspects of our nonprofit agency as well.

Skills Needed:

• Must be organized and able to manage multiple projects/responsibilities
• Must have some leadership experience to oversee volunteers and interact with the community partners
• Willing to work in-person
• An interest in food security and nonprofit work
• Ability to lift 30-50 pounds either by themselves or with assistance
• Should be comfortable working independently and must enjoy fast-paced environments

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Brunswick and accessible by walking, driving, or taxi voucher).

Midcoast Literacy is a non-profit organization based in Bath, Maine that provides free one-on-one tutoring and other literacy programs to people of all ages in Lincoln, Sagadahoc and northern Cumberland Counties. Our mission is "improving lives through literacy." We work with learners who are native English speakers who struggle with reading and writing as well as with recent immigrants who are learning to speak, read and write in English.

Projects may include:

Because of our small staff, who spend most of our time running and managing the programs, we have historically struggled with doing a good job documenting the work we do. We are looking for a SCAN intern to be that documentarian! The intern would create video, audio, photos, and create and distribute written and/or verbal surveys to participants. Our hope is that the intern would be able to create and edit together effective documentation of 5 of our 6 programs in action during the semester.

Skills Needed:

- Willingness to travel to a variety of off-campus locations around the Brunswick-Topsham-Bath area (we can help with transportation in some cases) to document our programs in action
- Experience shooting and editing video and still photos
- Prior experience/a comfort level with children is not required but would be a big plus, as two of the programs involve working with children ages 1-14.
- Readiness to interact with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. 

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Bath and accessible by driving or taxi voucher).

We are a council of 16 local Veteran non-profits that help Veterans, and their families acquire all the benefits that they have earned at our resource center. We are a one stop shop for information/resources of all things Veteran related and offer outside providers space to do the same.

Projects may include:

The MCVC is currently working on a marketing campaign where we interview our volunteers/local heroes. This assignment would entail interviewing Veterans and producing a story with photo for our social media and history book. Other tasks may include resource guide revising (editing an existing file that needs formatting help and checked for accuracy), creating social media content, and possible health clinic event assistance (planning, outreach, check-ins).

Skills Needed:

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with an interest in service to others, possible writing/interviewing experience, and an interest in marketing or history. We are also open to grant writing interest, help with Veteran homeless stand downs in October, and any ideas Veteran related that may be of interest to the student. Proficient in MS Office, good communication skills, and being a team player are also qualities we are looking for in a candidate.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Brunswick and accessible by taxi or car)

People Plus is an organization that builds community. It offers classes and recreational activities to audiences of all ages. People Plus operates a community center with programming primarily aimed at older adults and a youth program called the Brunswick Area Teen Center. This drop-in program runs year-round and provides meals to more than 40 students per day. It also provides a myriad of structured and unstructured programming for teens including yoga classes, gardening clubs, a cooking certificate program, craft club, improv sessions, and much more.

Projects may include:

A student working with People Plus will support the organization’s marketing efforts by expanding our social media presence, as well as designing and distributing new marketing material. They would also assist our fundraising efforts by building on our database of grant opportunities and providing hands-on support for various capital campaigns. A student in this role will also have the opportunity to work directly with the Brunswick Area Teen Center’s youth council to identify their own project or goal for the fall and take the necessary steps to complete it with our youth council. This project could be anything from starting a new club, hosting a fundraiser with our teens, organizing an event, or finding new community needs that the teen center could help address.

Skills Needed:

People Plus is looking for someone with strong writing and communication skills. Candidates should also be confident working with youth in grades 6 through 12. Experience with Canva is a plus.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Brunswick and accessible by walking, driving, or taxi voucher)

The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible, barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty and to advocate for solutions to these problems. Since its founding in 1975, Preble Street has grown into Maine’s largest nonprofit homeless services provider, serving more than 10,500 youth and adults annually through emergency services, housing programs, food security work, and advocacy.

This internship would be housed within the Advocacy Team, which pursues systemic solutions to the social, economic, and political conditions that have historically perpetuated our society's inequities.

Projects may include:

We anticipate that a student would devote the majority of their time to supporting our “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote” campaign. The aim of this campaign is to educate individuals experiencing homelessness about the voting process through voter registration events, candidates forums, and questionnaires. Student responsibilities could include coordinating with candidates for local, state, and federal office, creating voter education materials, and conducting voter registration events aimed at individuals experiencing homelessness.

In addition, we would love for the student to attend meetings with Homeless Voices for Justice, a grassroots organization of people with lived experience of homelessness. These meetings take place every Monday from 9:30am-11:30am in Portland.

Skills Needed:

Preble Street is looking for a student who is compassionate, organized, and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Advocacy work at Preble Street calls for understanding and positive regard for individuals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty. Prior experience in social services or public policy settings is beneficial but not required. An ideal candidate for this position will have strong written and verbal communication skills, be a critical thinker, and be able to work collaboratively and independently.

 Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is based in Portland, accessible by car and possibly public transit dependending on schedule)

At the Telling Room, we empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. Focused on young writers ages 6 to 18, we seek to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for our students. We believe that the power of creative expression can change our communities and prepare our youth for future success.

Projects may include:

The student would support us in the transition of our Young Writers and Leaders program through recruitment, planning, logistics, and potentially assistant teaching. They would also have the opportunity to support our Director of Alumni Development with surveying alumni, compiling and analyzing data, and helping to plan an event in December.

Skills Needed:

The student should be passionate about our mission. They should have strong written and verbal communication skills, be comfortable taking initiative, and speaking in front of groups of students. An understanding of multicultural backgrounds is important in the Young Writers and Leaders program. Additional information about the program can be found on our website.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is based in Portland, accessible by car and possibly public transit dependending on schedule)

The Town of Brunswick Clerk's Office runs elections for the Town of Brunswick. We also work with the Town Council, do all the licensing for the Town, along with marriages and vital records.

Projects may include:

With both gubernatorial and senatorial elections taking place this fall, we anticipate a particularly busy season. The student(s) will play an active role in the absentee ballot process, including issuing, tracking, and processing more than 7,000 ballots. They will also have the opportunity to assist with voter registration.

Skills Needed:

We are seeking someone genuinely interested in the mechanics of running elections. Candidates must set aside political views and maintain a neutral, open-minded approach to learning the election process. Additionally, state law requires all election workers to be U.S. citizens.

Internship Location:

In-person only. (Their office is located close to campus, within walking or driving distance).

At United Way of Mid Coast Maine, it is our mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of community. We work with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, schools and municipalities across Brunswick, Harpswell, Sagadahoc County, and Lincoln County. We are seeking support for our Community Response Initiative program, "Connecting to Tomorrow" which helps vulnerable youth find leadership and workforce development opportunities in their communities to enhance their sense of mattering and hopefulness.

Projects may include:

The student would primarily be supporting our Youth Action Board (YAB). YAB convenes students from four school districts (RSU1, MSAD75, Brunswick and Richmond) to lead community improvement projects, and develop leadership skills to tackle issues they identify in their communities. The student would support this work by helping facilitate YAB meetings, identifying opportunities for YAB members, and acting as a near peer mentor for high school students. Currently, YAB is working on a de-stigmatization campaign around asking for help for meeting basic needs such as food security, housing, hygiene, mental health and substance use.

Skills Needed:

We are looking for a student who is interested in leadership, youth development, project management and mental health support. Experience working with high school students as a mentor, or interest in doing so is a plus. The ideal student will be organized, a strong communicator, and naturally curious about issues in our communities.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is located in Bath and is accessible by driving or taxi)