‘The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place.’        -Marian Wright Edelman

Recognizing that civil society depends on strong communities and healthy families, in 1890 Lucetta Lawson and Sarah Grant responded to the challenge for social justice in Atlanta by organizing and building an orphan’s home for young homeless girls living on the city’s streets. The Leonard Street Orphan’s Home was the cornerstone for Families First and its 100 plus year history of strengthening and preserving families and building healthy communities. By addressing the needs of individuals as well as each individual’s relationship within their family structure, Families First fills a niche in metropolitan Atlanta, evoking our sense that if as caring, cooperative human beings we work together we can make our city, region and nation a better and safer place for all. Empowering families, children and communities to achieve this possibility and potential is both the history and vision of Families First.

Rooted in a tradition of listening and responding to the changing needs and social problems that confront the family structure, Families First’s impressive list of achievements include establishing Georgia’s first adoption agency, first foster care agency as well as the state’s first family counseling agency.

Today, Families First is Georgia’s largest family-serving nonprofit agency, operating 11 programs that touch the lives of more than 38,000 individuals each year.  The organization is guided by the vision of a strong, vibrant, supportive community where all children and families flourish. 

The mission of Families First is to ensure the success of children in jeopardy by empowering families, with the ultimate goal of transforming communities. The organization’s services  are structured into three key impact areas:

Child and Youth Permanency – Families First offers adoption, foster care, permanency cooperatives (also known as residential group homes) and other services to help ensure long-term stability and a supportive environment for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted;

Family Sustainability and Empowerment – Families First works collaboratively with other agencies to deliver housing, support services and training to promote family self-sufficiency;

Healthy Families and Relationships – Families First equips parents and families with critical skills for building strong, flourishing family relationships through parent education, concrete support, and affordable counseling.

Position Summary:

This internship will provide exceptional students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in a Non-profit Management/Operations role. This intern will liaison with top management and assist in the development of strategic plans for operational activity that aide the agency in providing meaningful outputs and outcomes to all shareholders.

Candidates who have successful completion of courses related to Operations Management, Non-Profit Management, Strategic Planning and Business Analysis will be highly preferred.

Semester Projects

Develop and Aid in implementation of Operation Strategies for Non-Profits in the 21st Century

Develop Decision Matrix for all Departments and Programs

Develop Operations Process Plans for all Departments and Programs

Research Educational Resources for the State of Georgia

Create Social Media Interfaces for Organization Programs to engage community

Collaborate with IBM to develop Management Training Curriculum

Minimum Qualifications:

Senior Undergraduate or Master’s Level Student pursuing degree in Management, Non-Profit Management with emphasis in Operations or Business Analysis

Interest in non-profit operations

Knowledge/experience in organizational effectiveness and operations management

Knowledge of business and management principles and practices

Knowledge of project management principles and practices

Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills

Exceptional Listening Skills

Strong Organizational Skills

Ability to work independently

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Professional Mannerisms

A positive, outgoing attitude

Preferred Qualifications:

Career interest in Non-profit Operations

Families First provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development. 

If you are an individual with a disability and require accommodation to complete any part of the application process, are limited in ability, or unable to access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline at 404-853-2876 or email [email protected] for assistance.

Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to Affirmative Action and Workforce Diversity. 

Families First participates in E-Verify.