We’re so lucky at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley to have a staff of hardworking, committed team-players who work tirelessly at our mission of building affordable housing and enriching community life.
In this series, you’ll get to know the people behind the work.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Elodie Chery. Originally from Birmingham, AL, I am currently a sophomore at Salve Regina University studying Political Science with a minor in Finance. I am extremely passionate about food security and civic engagement. On campus, I serve as the co-chair of our food pantry, and as a Service Advocate I recently completed 150 hours of service at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, where I supported their hunger services program. I also serve as a Civic LEAD Fellow, where our mission is to foster civic leadership, community involvement, and student engagement
What do you do at NWBRV?
I am an intern at NWBRV, where I work alongside Meghan Rego to help plan and execute the Levitt AMP Woonsocket music series for Summer 2026. In this role, I gather data and conduct research, help develop best practices for social media and volunteer outreach, and support the digital side of the project. I also assist with creating flyers. Moving forward, I hope to be assisting in preparing content, and populating information across our social media platforms.
How long have you been interning with NWBRV, and how did you start working with the organization?
I officially started my internship in February. At Salve Regina, my major offers an internship class through the Rhode Island State House, and I was fortunate to be connected with Meg Rego since I knew I wanted an experience rooted in the nonprofit sector. Once this internship concludes, I hope to complete all three goals Meg and I set at the beginning to ensure that I’m contributing to a meaningful cause while also creating a strong learning experience. Together, we outlined the following outcomes. I will produce a complete spreadsheet with key information about performers. I will create a report outlining best practices in social media, including an analysis of current usage, benchmarking, and a full social media calendar. Lastly, I will develop a report on best practices in volunteer recruitment and evaluate the current program against those standards.
What inspires you to do this work?
Hearing about the impact of Levitt AMP, I am motivated to ensure that communities such as Woonsocket have spaces rooted in creativity, free expression, and community. I am also inspired by the change makers around the world who have dedicated themselves to causes bigger than themselves. I want to contribute to change that is greater than me and benefits communities that truly deserve it.
What is your proudest accomplishment working with NWBRV?
So far, I am proud of all the work I have completed. It is exciting to see that the research and effort I put in have a purpose and are coming to fruition. For example, I presented on best practices in social media and suggested ways Levitt Woonsocket could improve its marketing to potentially attract younger audiences. I am still in the process of formulating a content calendar that we can use in hopes of enhancing our current social media presence.
