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Interns from local organizations will network while helping the nonprofit community in Bethlehem Friday.
The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley will host the Intern Impact Day, coordinating an educational and workday intended to connect interns from local organizations with other interns to serve the nonprofit community.
The day serves as an opportunity to a make connections to gain a greater sense of community and capacity building, the center said. The hope is to retain talent for major companies and grow a sense of community with new connections and friends can be a decisive factor in staying in the Lehigh Valley, according to Karen Smith, CEO of the Volunteer Center.
Fully aligned with the Volunteer Center’s core focus, Intern Impact Day can mobilize a community of leaders and make a difference in nonprofits within the Lehigh Valley.
This year, interns from Air Products, ArtsQuest, Lutron, Lehigh Valley Health Network, PPL Electric Utilities, and Victualic will do work for nonprofits, including Flint Hill Farm, Camel’s Hump, Greater Easton Development Partnership, Hoover Mason Trestle, SouthSide Bethlehem, Monocacy Farm Project, the Kellyn Foundation, and Gress Mountain Ranch.
A total of 160 interns in teams of 20 volunteers from different employers will be at each location on June 24th, Smith said.
“When we connect volunteers to nonprofits, especially those that are here for a season, there is a great sense of community development and an opportunity for belonging during that time here,” Smith said. “It may be the difference that keeps them coming back to the Lehigh Valley.”
The center has been serving the community as a capacity builder, resource provider and connector for the nonprofit and business communities, as well as individuals who want to give back, for more than 30 years.
“We work collaboratively to be the premier resource to connect, empower, and transform an inclusive and engaged diverse culture within the Greater Lehigh Valley by partnering with people, businesses, and non-profits through volunteer coordination, leadership development, and recognition,” she said.