Safe Homes Program Intern

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop, support, and implement activities at the drop-in centers, serving our three locations (one virtual, one located in Worcester, and one located at Fitchburg State University).
• The members will serve a different location each week, with one member serving a site at a time (i.e. one member will be at Worcester, another at North, and the third serving virtually).
• Promote Safe Homes through digital platforms and word of mouth;
• Support with maintaining a database of participant demographics and attendance for program reporting;
• Create program materials and outreach tools;
• Connect eligible participants to Open Sky’s Emergency supportive services.
• The members will also develop, with support from the Project Director, an accumulative project over the service term. The project will be individual to each member’s future goals, for the intention of preparing them for their next steps.
• Complete a minimum of 750 hours of service, serving through June 24, 2023.
• Attend a minimum of 6 Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA post orientation.
• Participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of MSA-related activities each week. This may include filling out timesheets, completing a bi-monthly reflection or check-in, or other MSA-related tasks or activities.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and personal development workshops to participants and Peer Leaders, with support and training from the Service Director
• Ensure emergency and safety net services (food pantry distributions, emergency backpacks, etc.
• Support administrative tasks
• Accompany youth to conferences and off-site activities
• Be a part of the greater Commonwealth Corps community, including participating in cross-site learning groups, writing a short profile for the CC newsletter, connecting with other members on our online platforms, and attending optional social/service events.

Split time in 3 locatons: one virtual, one located in Worcester, and one located at Fitchburg State University.

• Stipend of $550 semi-monthly while in service, up to $11,550, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
• Completion award of up to $2000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA)
• Access to Open Sky’s vast array of trainings free of charge
• Extensive training from MSA with a diversity, equity and inclusion focus and other professional development opportunities;
• Free Participation in the yearly Fundraising Gala, including a VIP gift bag worth $75
• Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
• Travel Reimbursement when supporting to Safe Homes’ events
• Internet reimbursement up to $50/month while required to complete some service from home;
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
• Mental Health/Personal Day once per month counting towards 4hrs
• The opportunity for at least 5 (part-time) days of planned absences (may include holidays, does not count towards hours requirement);

You must be:

• A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• 18 years of age at minimum (member age range is 18 – 70+ years old)
• Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences
• Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way
• Have a demonstrated understanding of youth culture
• Have knowledge of common issues experienced by LGBTQIA+ youth
• Have the willingness to continue your education around the systemic issues that impact the lives of our participants, including but not limited to; race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation and age.

It would also be great if you:

• Have education credits in psychology or sociology
• Have experience working with youth under age 18
• Have lived experience with the demographics of our participants to better connect with those we serve (ex. Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community)
• Have previous experience working closely with members of the LGBTQIA+ community