Resource Advocacy Intern

Report to: Volunteer & Academic Program Director & Advocacy Director

Internship hours available during Rose Haven Service Hours:

Mondays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Family Afternoon)

Thursdays: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join a small and social justice-oriented team environment! Rose Haven has provided over 25 years of compassionate service as the only day shelter for women, children and gender expansive people. We are a femme-centered, gender-specific community that serves those most impacted by gender oppression. Our holistic approach includes meeting essential needs such as food, clothing, showers, laundry, and safety while bolstering long term empowerment through emotional support, wellness activities, and connection to resources and community. We offer low-barrier services in a trauma-informed space to guests who trust us as we value their relationships with our community of staff, interns and volunteers.

The Resource Advocacy Intern position is primarily focused on resource navigation and supporting guests accessing the Rose Haven Advocacy Program.

The Progression of the Internship Learning Plan would entail:

• Program Support: Interns spend time in the various program areas in order to build understanding of the agency and build rapport with community members. This could include shifts at Guests Services (guest check-in and phone support), Hospitality (supply distribution), Wellness (showers), and the Shop (clothing distribution and donation support).
• Resource Fair Planning: Assist the Advocacy team with annual community resource fair by reaching out to community partners, verifying services offered and extending invitations to participate.
• Resource flier and resource board updates: ensure that the resource information we provide to guests is accurate and up to date.
• Record Keeping: Register guest information, interview notes, and communicate pertinent observations to staff members.
• Shadowing Advocacy: Training with the Advocacy team to hold one-on-one meetings with guests focused on community resources, emotional support, and financial assistance. Advocacy is on a drop-in basis, with some clients coming once and others returning more often. Advocates are not case managers and do not carry a caseload of clients.
• Basic Advocacy: Connecting guests with resources such as referrals to night shelters or other agencies.
• Back to School Event: assist with signups and coordination the day of the event, for August 20th school supply distribution for guests.

Expectations:

• At least 2 years completed of undergraduate education in a Behavioral Sciences education (Social Work, Psychology, etc.) This position is for a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate or a graduate level student.
• Support of the mission, values, principles and community agreements of Rose Haven.
• Demonstration of cultural humility toward diversity of human experience including race, religion, ethnicity, mental and physical abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education and cultural heritage.
• Maintain a professional level of performance, demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Model positive behavior, lead by example, and remain calm when responding to guests in crisis.

Qualifications (preferred):

• We value lived experience and recognize that internships are traditionally more accessible to people with privilege. This paid internship is intended to increase access to professional experience in the field. Candidates with lived experience related to being a person of color, LGBTQ2SIA+, having a disability, experiencing housing insecurity, or being part of a marginalized community are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Bilingual (American Sign Language, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese language skills are particularly valued).

Work Space Accessibility:

Rose Haven operates services on the main floor. Entrances vary from 0-3 stairs, with one staircase between the main floor and basement (where guest supplies are stored). Noise level in the building often fluctuates with direct service delivery. Lifting of 0-30 pounds and moving supplies or furniture may occasionally be requested. Parking pass provided.