GOAL/IMPACT
Special Olympics Southern California’s (SOSC) vision is to promote acceptance, inclusion, and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities through sports. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, serving more than 4.4 million athletes in over 170 countries. Through the power of sports, athletes discover new strengths and abilities, build confidence, develop skills, and experience success both on the playing field and in life.
The Health Initiatives Internship offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to nonprofit public health programming while supporting Special Olympics Southern California’s Healthy Athletes initiatives. Interns will learn about inclusive health programming, athlete wellness initiatives, volunteer engagement, and community outreach that support the health and well-being of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
To learn more about SOSC programs and initiatives, please visit our website.
Key responsibilities
· Support the planning and coordination of health initiative events.
· Assist with event preparation such as organizing materials, equipment, and supplies.
· Assist with inventory preparation and organization of health supplies before and after events.
· Provide support with basic data entry related to athlete participation, volunteer engagement, and program tracking.
· Assist with outreach efforts, including regional health events and community engagement activities.
· Support health initiatives communications, including assistance with social media content or program promotion.
· Participate in team meetings and provide general program support to the Health Initiatives team.
TRAINING & SUPPORT
· Supervision and mentorship from the Senior Manager, Health Initiatives with regular check-ins and guidance.
· Orientation to Special Olympics Southern California, Healthy Athletes programming, and organizational protocols.
· Hands-on learning opportunities related to nonprofit public health initiatives, event planning, volunteer coordination, and community outreach.
· Exposure to collaboration across multiple program areas within SOSC.
COMMITMENT & WORK SITE
· This internship requires at least a 3 month commitment.
· Interns are expected to contribute approximately 6–12 hours per week, depending on availability and academic schedule.
· Internship activities primarily take place at the SOSC Headquarters Office – 1600 Forbes Way, Suite 200, Long Beach, CA 90810, with occasional opportunities to attend regional events or Healthy Athletes screenings.
· Some evenings or weekends may be available for those interested in observing or supporting Healthy Athletes screenings or Special Olympics events.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS
· Interest in public health, nonprofit programming, health equity, or community health initiatives.
· Strong organizational and communication skills.
· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
· Comfortable working with diverse communities and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
· Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and willingness to learn new systems.
· Dependable, organized, and eager to gain experience in nonprofit health programming.
· Must complete a volunteer application, required training, and background check.
BENEFITS
· Opportunity to make a direct impact on the health and well-being of Special Olympics athletes.
· Hands-on learning experience within a large nonprofit organization focused on inclusive health and sports programming.
· Exposure to Healthy Athletes screenings, community health initiatives, volunteer coordination, and nonprofit program operations.
· Experience working with a collaborative team dedicated to advancing inclusion, wellness, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
· Opportunity to build professional skills in nonprofit programming, event coordination, outreach, and health initiatives.
