Youth Conflict Resolution Intern (Pacoima, CA)

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Los Angeles County Bar Association Counsel for Justice, Civic Mediation Project

Youth Conflict Resolution Program:

The Youth Conflict Resolution Program’s goals are to empower young people to resolve conflicts and create safer, more peaceful school campuses. Students in Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution programs learn and practice communication and mediation skills that offer an alternative to verbal and physical violence as "problem solving" methods.

- Internship/Volunteer Program -

The School Mediation program intern/volunteer will work closely with one of the School Program Coordinators. Interns/volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved in different focus areas within the School Mediation Programs as outlined below. The intern/volunteer and Center staff will develop a written agreement outlining jointly developed goals and description of responsibilities and/or projects that the student will be responsible for during the internship/volunteer period.

Case Management:

Students work directly in one of the schools and assist School Peer Program Coordinators with the mediation cases. Students would be trained and supervised by the School Program Coordinator and will help manage confidential case information for data management purposes as well as preparation for the initial stages of the mediation process.

Program Development Initiatives:

Students work directly in one of the schools to assist School Mediation Program Coordinators with overall peer mediation services. Work in this area would require the student to thoroughly understand the structure and delivery of the program within the schools and under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator would learn about practice and skills in working with the students. The intern/volunteer would also gain valuable skills in assessing school needs, program design and implementation and assessing program effectiveness.

Outreach:

Students are placed directly in the school programs to assist Coordinators with outreach projects and initiatives which would help strengthen the reach and expansion of services to the schools. The intern/volunteer will track the use of creative outreach strategies, help develop new materials and help answer questions for those who can benefit from the program. The intern/volunteer would assist in the design and possible delivery of presentations to the students but also key people within the school, including administrative staff, teachers and counselors.

Research/Writing:

Interns may conduct school based research including grant writing and other projects. These projects will be developed collaboratively with the Director of Mediation, Training and Education and in consultation with the School Program Coordinator. The research project should be related to the organization’s program goals and directives. The intern may be expected to work in either the downtown office at least one day per week and report research progress weekly to the Director.

- Program Requirements -

At minimum candidates must complete the agreed upon time commitment as negotiated by the intern’s home institution and the Civic Mediation Project. Each intern/volunteer will be supervised by an experienced staff member. The staff supervisor will require that the student’s hours be recorded on a time sheet that the supervisor will then be signed and sent to the student’s program or institute. The student is also required to provide the Project with a final report or summary that student will submit to their respective program.

- Eligibility Criteria -

Intern applicants must currently be enrolled in a university program. The intern/volunteer should also possess the following qualifications:

-Strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills;

-Commitment to serving the community;

-Sensitivity and experiences with needs and circumstances of those in conflict situations;

-Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;

-Keen interest in community organizations and development in cross-cultural environments;

-Ability to work independently as well as with team members.

-Fluency in Spanish and English strongly desired but not required.