Haven for Hope Student Internship Program

Student Information Guide

Haven for Hope Student Internship Program

Student Information Guide

HAVEN FOR HOPE MISSION

Our mission is to offer a place of hope and new beginnings. We do this by providing, coordinating, and delivering an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in Bexar County.

WELCOME

Social Service provides students with great opportunities to make a difference in their community. Haven for Hope offers a range of internship opportunities and experiences for a variety of academic disciplines.

Internships are career-relevant work experience a student intern can obtain prior to graduation from academic studies. Student interns in the Haven for Hope Internship Program work under practicing professionals who provide supervision and guidance.

The internship program is designed to give student interns a realistic job experience while they learn professional skills they can carry into their careers. The programs will help the student intern bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice while gaining firsthand knowledge of the workings of a large non-profit social work organization. Additionally, student interns have the opportunity to establish professional relationships in their field of study. In return, Haven for Hope gains the knowledge and capabilities of the student intern.

An internship with Haven for Hope will enable the student intern to experience the daily challenges and rewards of social service, and the opportunity to work in various departments including but not limited to Case Management, Employment Readiness, Administration, Information Management, and Spiritual Services.

You can experience the special satisfaction that comes from social service, and the special pride of having Haven for Hope as part of your professional training ground. We look forward to your unique contributions to Haven for Hope!

HAVEN FOR HOPE CORE VALUES

  • Radical Compassion - We have heart
    -We show respect, kindness and patience in how we speak, see and serve
  • Servant Leadership - We before me
    -We model our mission by putting others first
  • Driven by Hope - We are people of possibility!
    -We act as pioneers and embrace innovation
  • Pursuit of Excellence - We don't settle
    -We seek the very best in our work and relationships

HAVEN FOR HOPE’S APPROACH

In 2005, business and civic leader Bill Greehey and the former Mayor of San Antonio, Phil Hardberger, sought solutions to address the issue of those experiencing homelessness in Bexar County. After nationwide research on models and best practices, Haven for Hope opened in 2010. Today, Haven for Hope provides a residential and service space for those experiencing homelessness. Through a recovery oriented system of care and comprehensive social services provided on-site by diverse community agencies, individuals are guided from homelessness to housing.

INTERNSHIP GOALS

The Haven for Hope Internship Program is designed to bridge the gap between formal academic training and practical work experience. Student interns are integrated into the workforce and become engaged in daily issues confronting professional staff in a public sector setting (Enclosure 1 – Haven for Hope Internship Goal).

  1. Provide the student intern with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice to his or her professional education, by encouraging the exchange of insights between the professional organization and the student intern;
  2. Provide the student intern with the opportunity to promote and expand his or her personal philosophy and enable understanding of non-profits;
  3. Providethe student intern with an opportunity to realize personal strengths and weaknesses;
  4. Provide an opportunity to gain experience in leadership, supervision, and administrative functions as a public service employee;
  5. Help the student intern gain an understanding and appreciation of the roles, duties, and responsibilities of a full time professional and the people served.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Potential student interns may apply online or are referred by an academic program. The potential student intern submits an application, resume, and is interviewed by a supervisor who determines whether he or she is a good fit for Haven for Hope. Upon acceptance, the student intern will complete all necessary forms required by Haven for Hope and his or her academic institution.

Each student intern will be assigned a supervisor to oversee daily tasks and give continuous feedback on performance; an additional supervisor with specific credentials may be assigned if required. The student intern will receive a mid-term evaluation (Enclosure 2 – Student Internship Site Evaluation Form) to provide he or she with an opportunity to see what he or she has done well and what can be improvedupon as well as a final student intern evaluation (Enclosure 3 – Performance Review) for Haven for Hope records. Additionally, the student intern will complete an evaluation of Haven for Hope which will be used to analyze and improve the program.

The internship is the responsibility of the student intern, the intern’s supervisor, and the Internship Coordinator. The internship schedule will be coordinated between the student intern, academic advisor (if applicable), the Internship Coordinator, and the intern’s supervisor.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY

Potential student interns should be considering a profession related to some aspect of Haven for Hope’s mission and objectives. Generally, the student intern should be advanced in his or her educational or vocational programs. Accommodations can be made on a case by case basis. (Enclosure 4 – Internship Matrix)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Potential student interns will access the Haven for Hope Intern Webpage and select the internship position(s) he or she is interested in. Upon selection, the potential student intern will complete the application process, including providing a resume, for the position(s) (Enclosure 5 – Application). The potential student intern will be contacted by the position’s Department Head to schedule an interview. If selected, the potential student intern will complete “In-Processing,” which includes an Information Form (Enclosure 6 – Program Information Form) and Background Check Form (Enclosure 7 – Background Check Form).

INTERNSHIP COMPENSATION

Haven for Hope does not currently offer paid internships and student interns are not eligible for Haven for Hope employee benefits. Internships may be discontinued at-will but advanced notice is appreciated.

COLLEGE CREDIT

All student internship opportunities with Haven for Hope are for academic credit. Credit hours received will vary depending on the requirements of the student intern’s academic program. Haven for Hope will work with the student intern’s academic program to ensure all requirements are met.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assign the student intern a supervisor who will inspire learning and good performance;
  • Orient the student intern to his or her duties and responsibilities and familiarize him or her with special equipment and tools needed for the internship;
  • Provide the necessary office space, equipment, etc. needed to adequately perform the internship;
  • Utilize the student intern in a manner which will achieve maximum efficiency and utility for both the office and the student intern;
  • Allow the student intern to receive as wide a variety of experience as feasible within the office by rotating departments or assigning various substantive tasks within a department;
  • Communicate with academic staff and program coordinator any problems.

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES

Student interns’ responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Be appropriately dressed for all assignments and conduct himself or herself in a professional manner;
  • Maintain professional relationships with department employees, residents, and volunteers;
  • Create goals and objectives forhis or her internship;
  • Familiarize himself or herself with internship procedures and guidelines;
  • Communicate effectively with his or her assigned supervisor;
  • Seek opportunities that complement work and educational experience, such as trainings offered at Haven for Hope;
  • Assist staff and residents with projects and assignments;
  • Prepare for and utilize meetings, conferences, and other opportunities of learning offered in the department;
  • Show initiative and creativity by offering ideas and suggestions for program improvement;
  • Meet with assigned mentor for feedback and concerns;
  • Comply with work hour requirements, including tracking hours worked (Enclosure 8 – Student Intern Timesheet). Hour requirements vary byacademic program.

INTERN ORIENTATION

Student interns receive a personal tour of Haven for Hope facilities to gain an understanding of our campus and services offered. The student intern will be introduced to staff members he or she will be working with during the internship. Each student intern is sponsored by a staff member throughout in-process with Haven for Hope. A two-day new intern orientation is scheduled within the first 90 days of the internship via Human Resources for training on specific organizational areas (Enclosure 9 – In-Processing Checklist).

Haven for Hope Student Internship Program: Student Information Guide1 of 6