Our internship program is a commitment to the next generation of child-focused policy and advocacy on behalf of Oregon’s youth. We provide meaningful, paid opportunities for emerging professionals to engage in this critical, evolving work.
We are thrilled to be welcoming three, new, talented interns who bring diverse experience, fresh eyes, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of Oregon’s children. Each of our interns add their own unique insights, strengthening our work on behalf of children across Oregon.
We believe in nurturing not just the children of our state, but also the next advocates, community leaders, and child welfare professionals. Welcome to all of our new team members!
Kassy Bonanno (she/her)
Policy & Advocacy Intern
Kassy is a senior studying Public Health and Public Policy at Oregon State University. A lifelong Oregonian, she is drawn to opportunities that increase the health and safety of her statewide community. Kassy’s first introduction to the world of policy was as a high school student lobbying for environmental justice. She found that policy has the potential to tackle some of the biggest challenges in the world. For the past three years she has worked doing legislative advocacy around higher education, public health, and housing. Having worked as an outdoor educator and street outreach volunteer, she understands the unique challenges facing Oregon youth and is committed to their success. In her free time you can find her at the library or the bookstore.
What values drive you?
I am driven by a commitment to community, justice, and equity. I believe that our relationships with others are important in fostering resilience and growth, and that every person is someone worth knowing
If you could create one policy or program that aims for every child in Oregon to be seen and valued, what would it look like?
I think that play is one of the best ways to learn about the world, as well as one of the best ways to feel seen. I would create a summer camp program modeled after Outdoor School that is free for every Oregon student.
What’s a quote that inspires you and why?
There is a part of a quote by Toni Morrison that I return to frequently: “So when you enter those places of trust, or power, dream a little before you think.” It is really easy to get lost in overthinking about all the ways we will encounter roadblocks to progress. When we dream of the world we want to live in, we are deciding to put away those worries just for a moment to imagine a future in which we have overcome barriers. Change does not come easy, but dreaming is free. Dreaming is powerful. Dreaming is how we make change.
Marley Chavarria (she/her)
Policy & Advocacy Intern
Marley is originally from South Florida and currently a college
junior, double majoring in Sociology and Social Work at the University of Portland. She is passionate about the welfare of children from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Being involved in policy making on a state-wide scale and playing a role in creating positive environments for underserved children to thrive is a driving force behind her academic and professional aspirations. She is excited to be interning at Our Children Oregon and contributing to state-wide policy to further the goal of creating a safe and healthy environment for children.
What drew you to apply for an internship at Our Children Oregon?
The internship program at Our Children Oregon interested me due to its commitment to equity for all youth in the state. Through advancing diverse policies that promote significant change, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. As I continue in my internship experience, I aim to use my experience as a person of color to be a culturally specific advocate for Oregon’s children.
What problem do you want to solve?
Working with foster youth on an individual level through placements and housing, while being an advocate for policy reforms that focus on breaking down systemic racial injustices for youth in the foster care system, is what motivates me to continue fighting for change in our community.
What’s a quote that inspires you and why?
“All good things to those who wait” from the movie “Tangled”. I aim to be patient throughout my own life and work, with an understanding that the hard work we are all participating in will one day create something wonderful.
Chloe Acosta (she/her)
Policy & Advocacy Intern
Chloe is a dedicated policy advocate, community organizer, and college student pursuing a Communications and Political Science degree. She is passionate about children’s wellbeing, voter education, and health equity. Chloe works with a variety of community organizations, including some of Our Children Oregon’s partners, around the state and has multiple years of experience.
Chloe also has been an elementary educator for the past 3 years. She sees firsthand the challenges and joys students and staff face. She brings her legislative and education experience along with her rural Southern Oregon perspective into the work she does. Outside of advocating, Chloe can be found with her cats and a good book or running her own digital marketing company she founded in 2023.
What drew you to apply for an internship at Our Children Oregon?
I learned about Our Children Oregon at the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance’s annual conference – Joining Our Youth (JOY). At the conference, 3 team members from Our Children Oregon presented about the organization. After the presentation, I knew I would love to join OCO as an Intern. I work with multiple Our Children Oregon partners which also inspired me to join this team. The OCO team members I spoke to at the conference were so kind and answered all of my questions. I am so happy to be a part of #teamoco. This organization aligns well with my personal interests, experience, and passions, which is truly a gift.
What’s a quote that inspires you and why?
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time” -Ruth Bader Ginsberg. As a policy advocate and community organizer, this quote has always stuck with me. It is important to remember that change takes time. As much as I wish we could change the world in a day, that is not going to happen. The key to achieving change is simply taking things step by step, instead of trying to achieve everything all at once. This quote also reminds me that the work I am doing matters. I know I am actively working to create a better Oregon, step by step.
What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?
As a child, you could never not find me with a book in my hand! At recess, I would rather read my book in the library than play on the playground or shoot basketball hoops. The day I became an elementary school Jr. Librarian, meaning I got to stock the shelves and read the middle school chapter books, felt like I had won the lottery. To this day, reading is still a large part of my life. I volunteered at an elementary school library all 4 years of high school doing a variety of tasks. I am also a substitute elementary educator, which means I have gotten to be a school librarian before as well. In my free time, reading is one of my favorite things to do. My passion for books will forever & always be a part of me!
To learn more about our internship program:
please contact us: grace@ourchildrenoregon.org
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