Supportive Intern

Supportive Housing Intern - UNPAID

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC is at work today in more than 40 countries and in 24 U.S. cities. The IRC's U.S. Programs (USP) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in America.

The Supportive Housing Program Intern will assist in implementing successful programming in IRC's Supportive Housing community for refugees. This project addresses housing insecurity for refugee households with multiple intersecting vulnerabilities through a combination of affordable housing and wraparound services for participants. The Supportive Housing Intern will work directly with refugee clients, IRC staff, volunteers, and community partners to promote effective supportive services for clients.

Their work will include direct service with a refugee population and development of programs that support the wellbeing and integration of participants. The intern may also assist with projects that support housing stability for at-risk refugee clients residing outside the supportive housing program.

Length of Service: 3-4 months. 1-semester minimum, full academic year available.

Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct home visits with individual clients with access to community-based resources that support their personal priorities and needs.
• Maintain a small case load to enhance IRC casework support for clients with complex barriers as they set goals and work toward self-sufficient household management.
• Participate in services that increase affordable housing access, resource navigation, and housing education for refugee clients within and outside of the Supportive Housing program.
• Document all services provided to clients and other administrative tasks.
• Collect data and participant feedback in accordance with program evaluation requirements.
• Develop resources and support partnerships and programs for supportive housing participants.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop the skills of listening for understanding and motivational interviewing.
• Gain experience working with and coaching a diverse refugee population.
• Learn about challenges navigating housing and accessing resources in Denver for refugee populations.
• Interns will acquire detailed knowledge about supportive housing for a refugee population, providing resettlement and integration services in a rapidly changing time, and public benefits available for refugees and asylees.
• Gain experience case noting using Efforts to Outcome (ETO) and Colorado Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Organized and detail-oriented with strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Capacity to respond to adversity with empathy, compassion, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Reliable vehicle, driver's license, and insurance.
• Willingness to transport clients in personal vehicle.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.
• Commitment to promoting participation, self-reliance, sustainability, equity and human dignity.

Standard of Professional Conduct:
The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.