Internship

Our training and experience are well-regarded in the community and strong additions to any resume. Former interns have reported their experience gave them an advantage in landing jobs in the field and applying to colleges and graduate schools. This is a great setting to build core skills and to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Benefits of interning with us include:

• Earn college credit
• Receive free training and mentorship (letters of recommendation and/or professional references)
• Learn to appreciate the importance of self-care
• Learn about yourself and find out if you can work with a certain demographic
• Take advantage of flexible hours
• Network and learn about job opportunities in the community
• Change lives and have a positive impact

Intern Role

• Support clients by exhibiting strong active listening skills
• Maintain client and colleague confidentiality
• Attended required basic and advanced trainings
• Participate in other continuing education opportunities as offered
• Crisis intervention/suicide intervention

Intern Requirements

• Age 18+
• Must be reliable and have a sincere desire to help others
• Must show respect and compassion for people affected by mental health conditions and life challenges
• Comfort using a computer and telephone
• Willing to commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service
• There are no specific education requirements, however, coursework in Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, or other health-related field, including Gerontology, Psychology, or Health Sciences may be helpful

Intern Expectations

• Provide class schedule, syllabus, and internship advisor contact information
• Be on time for shifts and trainings, and promptly respond to voicemails and emails
• Professional conduct, both in person and through any written or phone communications
• Prepare for meetings (bring calendar/planner and training materials) and take notes
• Keep track of training, meeting, and shift hours

TeleCare Intern

TeleCare is a free telephone reassurance program which provides a regular connection to isolated and vulnerable members of our community. Interns make outbound calls to enrolled clients and provide medication reminders, welfare checks, and social visits. These calls are a crucial way to “check and connect” with our clients and truly brighten their day.

Calls are completed between 7am and 10pm, 365 days per year. Daily TeleCare shifts are: 7am-11am, 11am-3pm, 3pm-7pm, and 7pm-10pm and interns can sign up for their preferred days/times.

TeleCare Training

Training to make TeleCare calls is 4-hours and can be done in a single day. It includes shadowing, one-on-one instruction to gain familiarity with active listening and the computer and phone, and making calls under the guidance of a trainer. Once ready to take calls, interns continue to be supported by staff during their shifts.

Contact Hotline Intern

The Contact Hotline is a safe place to talk. It provides free, confidential, 24-hour service for anyone who is depressed, in crisis, going through a hard time, thinking about suicide, or just needs to hear a caring voice. Most calls are not suicide-related.

Hotline Training

Our 40-hour Hotline training curriculum instills the skills and confidence needed to successfully support clients who present with a wide range of life challenges and issues.

Components of Hotline basic training include:

• Orientation
• Observation
• Self-guided training modules on Google Classroom
• Individualized or small group instruction and role plays
• Apprenticing