Digital Storytelling & Community Engagement - Summer Associate

AmeriCorps VISTA VAD Title: AIHFS Summer Associate – Digital Storytelling & Community Engagement

Sponsoring Organization: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Project Name: MCSC Community Resilience Project

Project Number: 21VSCMI006

Project Period: 05/2026 – 07/2026

Site Name: American Indian Health and Family Services

Focus Area(s) (Education, Workforce Development, Older Adults, Environmental Stewardship, Food Insecurity, Disaster Preparedness, and Health)

   Primary: Health

   Secondary: Workforce Development

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of the Overall VISTA Project: The goal of the VISTA Project is to strengthen community resilience by expanding access to culturally grounded health and family services through increased community awareness, engagement, and outreach. The Summer Associate will support capacity-building efforts by developing sustainable digital storytelling and communication strategies that elevate community voices and connect underserved populations to essential services.

Objective of the Assignment (05/2026 – 07/2026)

First Objective: Develop and implement a social media and digital storytelling strategy that increases engagement and awareness of AIHFS programs and services.

Activities:

1.    Conduct an initial assessment of current social media platforms and establish baseline metrics (followers, reach, engagement).

2.    Develop and implement a 8–10 week content calendar aligned with organizational priorities.

3.    Create and publish a minimum of 3–4 posts per week, including at least 1 short-form video or reel per week.

4.    Lead a supervised “Summer Associate Social Media Takeover” series, posting weekly behind-the-scenes or day-in-the-life content.

5.    Track performance and contribute to a final report demonstrating at least a 15–25% increase in engagement (likes, shares, comments, or reach).

Second Objective: Capture and share community stories that highlight the impact of AIHFS programs and services.

Activities:

1.    Conduct and document at least 8–10 interviews with community members, staff, or partners.

2.    Produce 5–7 high-quality storytelling pieces (videos, testimonials, or photo essays).

3.    Attend and document a minimum of 4–6 community events or program activities.

4.    Develop and organize a digital media library with labeled, reusable content assets.

5.    Create at least 2 feature stories that can be used for future outreach, grant writing, or fundraising.

Third Objective: Support outreach and awareness efforts for the new health and wellness campus and capital campaign.

Activities:

1.    Document campus development progress through biweekly photo/video updates.

2.    Create 3–5 pieces of content highlighting the vision, impact, and community benefit of the new campus.

3.    Develop at least 2 donor or partner spotlight stories to support the capital campaign.

4.    Assist in promoting at least 2 campaign-related events or announcements through digital platforms.

5.    Collaborate with staff to produce a final set of reusable outreach materials/templates for continued use after the Associate’s term.