Social Concerns
Summer Fellowship

ARCH (Accompanying Returning Citizens With Hope)

Site Address:

373 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43230

Columbus

,

OH

43230

Franklin

Website:

archreentry.com

Volunteer Non US Citizen

This student could not go into correctional facilities and would need a modified plan

Categories:
Language Preferences:

Location Details

Description

Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH) is a Columbus-based nonprofit that has supported individuals returning from incarceration since 2014, helping them rebuild their lives through stable housing, meaningful employment, and community connection. ARCH works with people before and after release, partnering with prison staff and halfway house case managers to help returning citizens move quickly into safe housing and avoid the shelter system. Our programs include reentry housing with wraparound case management and peer support, in-prison reentry preparation programming, and innovative workforce training in fields such as restaurant and hospitality and the skilled trades. ARCH also partners with employers, service providers, and community coalitions to remove barriers and advocate for policies that create equitable pathways to success. Interns at ARCH will gain hands-on experience in reentry services, storytelling and communications, community engagement, nonprofit operations, and policy advocacy, contributing to work that creates lasting change for returning citizens and their families.

Student Role

Students interning with Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH) will engage directly with individuals returning from incarceration as they rebuild their lives through housing, employment, and workforce development. Interns will work across four main areas: Storytelling and Communications. Interns will document and film stories of reentry, capturing how ARCH’s housing, workforce, and support programs have helped participants rebuild their lives. They will also edit these stories into videos that highlight specific program needs, collect testimonials, and create outreach materials for social media, the ARCH website, funders, and community partners. Digital Literacy Training and Support. Many people coming home after long sentences return to a world where smartphones and computers are essential for finding work, housing, and services. Interns will provide one-on-one support to individuals in ARCH housing and programs who need help building these skills. Where possible, interns will also deliver a digital literacy class inside a prison as part of reentry preparation programming, or sit in on other in-prison programs, to gain firsthand experience with the reentry process from the inside. Program Support and Meeting Needs. Interns will work alongside ARCH case managers and staff. They may volunteer at monthly reentry resource fairs, research and update local resource guides, and assist with program coordination. This includes helping onboard and supporting new cohorts of trainees in our café-based workforce program and reaching out to local restaurants and businesses to build employment connections for participants. Research and Policy Advocacy. Interns may assist with data collection and qualitative analysis for ongoing focus groups exploring barriers to employment and licensure for people pursuing careers in peer support, CDCA, and social work. Interns may also research public policies that affect people with criminal records and help develop advocacy materials and outreach. ARCH is a small nonprofit with its hands in a lot of meaningful work. The internship will take shape around these areas, but specific responsibilities may vary based on summer priorities and will be discussed with the Executive Director as your start date approaches. We will do our best to shape the work around your skills, interests, and capacity. Because this work is deeply relational, it is a great fit for a people person who is curious and eager to learn. Interns should also be comfortable working independently on tasks and projects throughout the summer, with regular check-ins from staff. This placement is ideal for students interested in social work, public policy, communications, digital media, education, criminal justice reform, or community-based research. It offers hands-on experience with clients and meaningful opportunities to document and communicate the impact of reentry work in the community.

Work Schedule

Students will generally maintain a full-time schedule of approximately 35–40 hours per week, working Monday through Friday, typically between 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Most activities, including meetings with clients, case management support, and program coordination, occur during standard business hours. Occasionally, students may participate in evening or weekend activities—such as recording impact videos, attending community events, or meeting with clients whose schedules require flexibility—but these instances are limited. Any hours outside the standard schedule can be flexed during the week to maintain a balanced workload.

Orientation

Prior to the start of the internship, ARCH will meet with students twice via Zoom to introduce them to the organization, review expectations, and discuss the specific focus of their projects and learning goals. These sessions will also include an overview of our mission, core programs, and the populations we serve, as well as initial preparation for engaging with returning citizens and understanding the dynamics of reentry work. Following the first Zoom meeting, students will be asked to complete an application to volunteer inside the prison. Completing this application promptly is important, as it allows enough time for approval before the internship begins so students can participate in in-prison programming. Upon arrival in Columbus, students will receive an on-site orientation that includes a tour of ARCH facilities, introductions to staff and partner organizations, review of confidentiality and professional boundaries, and shadowing opportunities with case managers and program staff. This orientation ensures students are equipped to engage respectfully and effectively with participants. Throughout the 8-week placement, students will receive weekly one-on-one supervision from an assigned ARCH staff member. These sessions will provide structured time for reflection, problem-solving, and skill development. Students will also have opportunities for informal check-ins during the week with other staff and team members to support project work, client engagement, and integration into the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Housing Information

Students participating in the program will live in Ohio State University (OSU) dormitories, as arranged by the University of Notre Dame, consistent with the housing arrangements used in previous summers. Students will reside in a university residential setting with other Notre Dame interns and peers engaged in community-based placements throughout Columbus. We prefer that a student have access to a personal vehicle, as some program activities may involve travel to correctional institutions or community partner sites. ARCH hopes to offer students the opportunity to participate in or observe programs inside a prison setting, which would benefit from independent transportation. ARCH staff will assist all students with orientation to the Columbus area, including guidance on local transportation options and community resources.

Drivers License

Would not have them drive clients, but would prefer they have their own vehicle if possible

Student Preferences

Flexible, independent, self-motivated, video/marketing skills

Start And End Dates

Eight consecutive weeks between May 17 and August 13, 2027