Background
OH SEW POWERFUL INC.
Connections through community creativity.
Oh Sew Powerful Inc. wants to spread our message of hope and compassion. We believe that a single action can make a difference in the community, and that collective action can greatly impact the world.
Through advocacy and outreach activities, our team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good. Our mission is to engage the Lee-Harvard-Seville-Miles community through sewing programming to instruct and inspire participants to further their creative interests, resulting in positive effects on emotional and mental health, aging, and overall well-being.
INTERNS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM.
Community Engagement Intern
Details
Overview
Join Oh Sew Powerful, Inc. as an intern and dive into a rewarding experience in the vibrant Lee-Harvard community of Cleveland, Ohio. As an intern, you will play an integral role in sewing and quilting workshops, assisting in the preparation, finishing, and framing of art quilts, and contributing to the Sew City Quilts initiative—an indoor quilt trail that highlights the beautiful quilt art created by our community.
This role is perfect for someone with curiosity, eagerness, passionate about sewing, art quilting, and community service, while learning valuable skills in project management, marketing, and community engagement.
Supervised by the Executive Director and senior programming staff, you will receive regular one-on-one coaching, constructive feedback, and support. You will work in a collaborative environment, interacting with a diverse group of sewing artists (sewists), while gaining insights into the operations of a social enterprise.
This internship promises a semester filled with creativity, professional growth, and personal fulfillment, while contributing meaningfully to our mission of empowering residents through the traditional craft of sewing. If you are eager to make a difference in an under-resourced community while enhancing your skills and knowledge, we invite you to be part of the Oh Sew Powerful, Inc. team!
Responsibilities
The Community Engagement Intern will:
Gain hands-on experience in sewing and quilting techniques
Learn to frame and mount art quilts
Support the creation of documentation and reports, marketing materials, and social media content
Participate in community outreach events.
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
The Community Engagement Intern will gain hands-on experience in sewing techniques and a variety of machine operations, enhancing their practical skills. They will need hard skills to be effective in their role, along with proficiency in specific software and tools, including:
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, reporting, and presentations).
A rudimentary level of technical and digital skills, including a basic familiarity with graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva) for creating marketing materials and social media content, and an understanding of social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and how to create engaging content.
Project management skills such as the ability to plan, organize, and execute workshops and events effectively, as well as time management skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines efficiently.
Data management skills or proficiency in controlling inventory, supplies, and data using spreadsheet software.
Basic skills in taking high-quality photos and videos of projects and events with digital cameras or smartphones with good camera capabilities for promotional use will be extremely useful, as well as familiarity with communication tools like email platforms (e.g., Gmail, Outlook) and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google).
Compensation
$15.00 per hour
Work Schedule & Hours
Flexible hours between 9 AM– 9 PM, Monday–Saturday, agreed upon between intern and supervisor.
Eligibility
CSU Fellowship Details
Five awards per academic year will be made. Each Fellow will receive a $1,500 scholarship per semester, a paid internship ($15 per hour, 10 hours per week, 15 weeks per semester), and career mentoring at a local, creative institution.
Any semester-long fellowship may be renewable for an additional semester.
Eligibility
Full-time CSU undergraduate juniors and seniors with majors in Art, Design, Creative Writing or Film
3.0 Minimum GPA in the major
CSU Fellowship Online Application Process
Please complete a fellowship application form.
Fellowship Program Timeline:
May 5 – May 9: Cleveland State University will review student applications and approve students for participation.
May 9: Host sites receive information on students approved for participation.
May 12 – 23: Host sites will review student materials, contact students of interest, and conduct interviews.
May 23: Final student placements are communicated to Cleveland State and the Studio Institute Team from all host sites.