Student volunteer opportunities
Photo by Jimmy Jiménez on Unsplash
Petaluma Urban Chat is a local nonprofit focused on the future of our city — how we grow, design public spaces, move around town, and make community decisions.
At its core, we explore one big question:
Why do cities look and function the way they do — and how can we make them better?
We host forums, film screenings, and conversations that make topics like housing, transportation, climate, and land use understandable and engaging.
We believe civic engagement isn’t just for older adults. The future of Petaluma belongs to today’s students, and your voice matters.
If you’ve ever wondered why some places feel vibrant and connected while others don’t — you’re already thinking like an urbanist. If you care about where you live, there’s a place for you here.
The Bench Network Project
Have you ever walked through a park or neighborhood and wished there were a place to sit and relax?
Urban Chat is launching a community project to identify places around Petaluma where simple seating, like benches, could make parks, walking routes, and neighborhood spaces more welcoming.
Student volunteers will help explore parks and public spaces around town, documenting where benches already exist and noticing where they might be missing. These small details can make a big difference…
Continue reading here.
Better Petaluma Film Festival
Each September, Urban Chat hosts the Better Petaluma Film Festival, featuring films from around the globe that explore the built environment—the everyday places people create and use, like homes, streets, parks, and gathering spots—and how cities are designed, how neighborhoods grow, and what makes public spaces thrive.
These films spark lively conversations about the future of cities — and how Petaluma fits into that story…
Continue reading here.
Petaluma Perspectives: Student Video Series
We’re launching a new student‑led video series that captures real perspectives from across Petaluma. You’ll help shape the questions, interview community members, and create short‑form videos that reveal how people experience life in our city.
The goal is simple: make civic topics more relatable and ensure youth voices are seen and heard in community conversations…
Continue reading here.