Ground Floor Program Internship

Internship Title: Ground Floor Program Internship

Location: The Ground Floor, Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Manager of Engagement Services

Hours: flexible; approximately 15-18 hours per week

Duration of Internship: TBD; paid position(s) are not guaranteed at the completion of internship

Wage Range: unpaid, service-learning internship

NWYS Mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness.

Internship Description

This position supports the success of NWYS by engaging with young people who access The Ground Floor. The intern helps guests feel welcome and supported by providing a friendly presence, connecting them to resources within the facility and the broader community, and contributing to a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment. 

Key Responsibilities

This internship description reflects the essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned in response to the intern’s learning objectives, program needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

• Assisting staff in maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment at the Ground Floor by organizing, cleaning, and by maintaining a calm, professional demeanor 
• Providing guest orientations, assisting with guest requests, and supplying needs 
• Engage in supportive interactions with guests through active listening, strengths-based reflections, and resource connections 
• Supporting staff in working with guests to assess needs and provide referrals to other resources 
• Help organize and promote activities and community-building events at The Ground Floor 
• Maintain professional boundaries, refrain from engaging in peer-to-peer banter, political or otherwise non-professional conversations 

Minimum Qualifications

• Enrollment in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or similar educational program
• Background check clearance

Required within the first 30 days of term (provided by NWYS):

• CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certifications required
• Food Handler’s Certificate (positions handling food)
• Must have negative TB test
• Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of issues faced by young people at-risk of/experiencing homelessness