Social Media and Community Engagement Summer VISTA

You cannot tell the story of Students Run LA (SRLA) without mentioning the Los Angeles Marathon or the more than 3,000 students in middle and high school who each year train for, run in, and complete the race. But the marathon is only part of the story, just as completing the race is only a piece of what SRLA’s students accomplish. And it is those accomplishments—what the students learn and how it impacts their lives—that are at the core of SRLA.

For well over 30 years, SRLA has been inspiring students in low-achieving schools to, in the words of one student, become the person they strive to be. Each year, SRLA seniors graduate from high school and go on to college or other postsecondary educational institutions, ultimately finding well-paying and satisfying jobs. But just as SRLA is more than the marathon, it is also more than the students. It is also the 185 schools and community programs served and the 550 volunteer leaders who train with their students and create a community within their team.

Indeed, each year, SRLA welcomes 3,000 middle and high school students across Greater Los Angeles to train alongside their teachers (SRLA Leaders) to complete the Los Angeles Marathon, learning along the way that if they can run a marathon, they can do anything!

For more than 34 years, SRLA’s consistent annual results are striking - 99% of students who start the Marathon, finish it.

Student success on the race course translates directly to the classroom:

• 99% of SRLA seniors who finish the Marathon graduate high school;

• 94% of these students have plans to attend college in the fall; and

• 75% of those students are among the first-generation of their families to go to college.

But that’s just the beginning. 2022 SRLA Marathon finisher, Marisol, shared how SRLA opened up a world of possibilities:

If I had not been part of SRLA or run any marathons, I would not have been as confident and ready to take on a challenge like I am now. It made me realize that if I can do a marathon as a teenager, imagine all the other goals and dreams I can fulfill if I believe in myself.

Students are able to accomplish these audacious goals because they are fully supported by SRLA. At no cost to the students, SRLA provides students with the resources needed to be successful, including, uniforms, shoes, monthly community training races, transportation to the races, post-secondary scholarships and, most importantly, caring adult mentors who guide them every step of the way.

Students Run LA (SRLA) is looking for a qualified Social Media and Community Engagement Summer VISTA to join our team full-time for a 9-week (June 12th - August 11th) summer project centered around our Summer of Senior Stories. Each year, SRLA inspires 3,200 students to train for and complete the Los Angeles Marathon. This paid volunteer (VISTA) opportunity would focus on highlighting and sharing stories from the SRLA Class of 2023.

The VISTA should be prepared to work on a team as well as independently to manage all aspects of the project. The volunteer will finish the summer having gained broad experience in various aspects of storytelling, social media marketing, and community building.

This volunteer opportunity is full time and requires work in-person at the SRLA Office in Tarzana (hybrid work schedules are possible).

Assist in creating and executing a storytelling strategy for multiple social media channels

Write, edit, and post stories to the SRLA Blog

Create social media posts celebrating the SRLA Class of 2023

Contact and follow up with SRLA Seniors for video and photo content

Post and manage video content for Youtube and other Social Media Channels

Develop a content calendar for the SRLA Blog and social media posts

Assist with the promotion and management of the “Step Up for Seniors” fundraising campaign

Assist with fundraising research and outreach

Must be at least 18 years old or older

Must be a US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA Recipient

Must be available for the full 9 Weeks (June 12th - August 11th)

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Extensive knowledge of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)

Works well in a team

Self-motivated

Great with project management

Experience with Canva is a plus

Experience with Squarespace is a plus

Fluency in Spanish is a plus

SRLA Alumni is a plus

A background check is required