Summer Internship in Social Services for College Students

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2020 Summer College Internship Program at DOROT DOROT offers a 10 or 11-week summer internship program for college students interested in careers in non-profit management, community organizing, social work and working with older adults. Through a competitive process, we choose ten to twelve interns each summer. Only current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will be considered for our summer college internship positions. The internship program provides students with an understanding of the issue and impact of social isolation among older adults as well as DOROT’s response. We give each intern substantive work and project management experience. While the work done by interns varies by department, we are committed to entrusting interns with significant responsibility and providing them with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. In addition to a departmental placement, summer interns also have a group experience. There is a comprehensive orientation to DOROT and our work with older adults, weekly group sessions with other interns and DOROT staff for learning and reflection and several group outings each summer. Program Details DOROT’s Summer College Internship begins on Monday, June 1st. The program has two tracks: * 10-week placement concludes Thursday, August 6th. This is four days a week Monday-Thursday, 9/9:30am - 5/5:30pm. * 11-week placement concludes Friday, August 14th. This is five days a week Monday-Thursday, 9/9:30am - 5/5:30pm and Fridays 9am-4pm. The 10-week placements are unpaid; the 11-week placements have a $2,200 stipend. DOROT will provide a monthly MetroCard to all interns for travel within the NYC metro system. We do not provide housing or travel expenses for outside of NYC ex: NJ Path or LIRR. DOROT is able to offer college credit with approval from an intern’s academic institution. We also understand that many schools provide stipends for students to participate in summer internships with nonprofit organizations. Deadlines and availability vary by institution and are awarded solely at the discretion of each individual school. DOROT is happy to provide information about our internship program to help internship candidates apply for such opportunities. Application Process Applications are reviewed and acceptances are awarded on a rolling basis. Applicants must complete DOROT’s 2020 Summer Internship Application. In addition to submitting an application, candidates are asked to send their resumes to Sharon Stahl, Coordinator of College and Adult Volunteers, at sstahl@dorotusa.org with the subject heading "2020 Summer Internship Application".

Individual Internship Descriptions Applicants are asked to rank their preference for their internship placement. We currently have openings in the following departments:

Connect Through Tech Intern (10-week placement)

The Connect Through Tech intern will learn how technology is used to create programs that support older adults in expanding and enriching their social connections as well as increase their access to resources that support their independence. This is especially important for those who find traveling from home to be challenging. The intern will assist with outreach efforts like conducting research, representing the department on phone and in person, assisting with marketing and maintaining the department’s contact database.

Constituent & Community Services Intern (10-week placement)

The Constituent & Community Services Department arranges regular visits between volunteers and older adults. The intern in this department visits seniors weekly in their homes; serves as a companion for older adults who need support getting to essential appointments; and assists with office projects such as surveys (over the phone and in-home). There will be at least two intern placements in this department. One of the interns will report to the main DOROT office in Manhattan two days a week and to the Westchester office as the DOROT Westchester Intern (described below) the other two days a week.

Development, Marketing and Communications Intern (10-week placement)

The intern in this role will support the multiple strategies and goals of critical areas that focus on multiple fundraising streams, branding, collateral and digital communication. This position is ideal for those with diverse interests and skills. A strong sense of professionalism as well as genuine enthusiasm for DOROT’s mission are important.

DOROT Westchester Intern(10-week placement)

DOROT’s Westchester Office is located in White Plains and serves older adults throughout the count. The intern will work in Westchester two-days per week and at DOROT’s Manhattan Office two days per week in another DOROT department (most likely Constituent and Community Services, described above). Responsibilities include surveying seniors to better understand their program interests and needs and assisting with data entry and home visiting in Westchester. DOROT cannot provide transportation in Westchester; it is recommended that applicants have access to a car.

Homelessness Prevention Program Intern(10-week placement)

DOROT’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side near DOROT headquarters, offers a transitional residence for homeless older adults and operates other support services for older adults at risk of homelessness. This intern will likely spend two days per week at DOROT’s Homelessness Prevention Program located a few blocks from the DOROT headquarters and the other two days per week as a Program Evaluation and Impact Intern (described below). The HPP intern will respond to incoming calls and questions regarding prospective admission, provide technology tutoring and assistance to older adults in the program and assist with other office projects. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. .

Jewish Summer Teen Internship Program Intern, Manhattan and the Bronx (11-week placement, stipend position)

DOROT offers four summer internship programs for high school students. This position supports two Jewish summer teen internship sessions: one at DOROT headquarters, which welcomes 21 high school students; the second at the Riverdale Y, which welcomes 16 students. The intern helps coordinate the daily scheduling, plans and organizes intergenerational programming, and assists with logistical needs. Intern at DOROT headquarters for the first seven weeks of the summer and in Riverdale for the last four weeks..

Jewish Summer Teen Internship Program Bilingual English/Russian Intern, Manhattan and Brooklyn (11-week placement, stipend position)

DOROT offers four summer internship programs for high school students. This position supports two of DOROT’s Jewish summer internship sessions: one at DOROT headquarters, which welcomes 21 high school students; the second at the Shorefront Y in Brighton Beach, which welcomes 15 students. The intern helps coordinate the daily scheduling, plans and organizes intergenerational programming, and assists with program logistics. Intern at DOROT headquarters for the first seven weeks of the summer and in Brighton Beach during the last four weeks.

Kosher Meals at Home Intern (10-week placement)

Kosher Meals at Home delivers nutritious meals to home-based elders who are not able to shop and prepare meals for themselves. The intern conducts phone outreach to offer a friendly hello on a regular basis, discuss meal choices, schedule deliveries, and check in on the older adult’s condition. This intern also helps deliver meals and visits meal recipients.

Lasting Impressions Intern (10-week placement)

The Lasting Impressions Summer College Intern will have the opportunity to create Legacy Projects by working one on one with older adults to write or record their stories and memories. The intern will be part of our evolving and ongoing initiatives which in the past have included projects such as Stonewall OutLoud, an interview collection of the voices of elders who are part of the LGBTQIA community and Recipes to Remember, which catalogues recipes and the meaningful stories they hold for older adults. The intern will support onsite creative aging programming which includes visual art workshops, legacy work on paper, programs focused on Jewish Culture and Heritage, and more. The intern may also be a part of onsite programming to support older adults working on their advance care planning documentation.

Onsite and Special Programs Intern (11-week position, stipend position)

DOROT’s Onsite & Special Programs Department offers discussion groups, wellness classes and special events such as concerts and author talks for older adult participants. These classes take place during the day, evenings and on Sunday and include hundreds of participants each week. The Onsite and Special Programs intern will assist staff in an administrative capacity, help promote upcoming events, and engage with our multifaceted senior population. The intern will also have the chance to create new programs and visit older adults at home.

Program Impact & Evaluation Intern (10-week placement)

The Program Impact & Evaluation Department conducts phone surveys of older adults who participate in DOROT’s programs; and review and analyze online survey results. These evaluations help staff agency wide improve our offerings. This intern will split his or her time between the Program Impact and Evaluation Department and the Homelessness Prevention Program (described above). The intern will also have the opportunity to make home visits to older adults.

Summer Teen Internship Program Intern, Manhattan (11-week placement, stipend position)

DOROT offers four summer internship programs for high school students. This position supports two summer teen internship programs; each session welcomes 21 high school students at DOROT’s headquarters. The intern helps coordinate the daily scheduling, conducts outreach to older adults to register their participation, and plans and organizes intergenerational programming and outings.

Volunteer Services Department Intern (10-week placement)

The Volunteer Services Department engages thousands of volunteers in a variety of roles to assist DOROT elders. Over the summer, there are several key areas of focus in the Volunteer Services Department, including:

• Assisting with DOROT’s Cemetery Visit program where volunteers accompany older adults to visit the graves of a loved one. The intern helps with planning and implementation and may attend if needed.
• Providing support for DOROT’s bimonthly Volunteer Orientation sessions
• Assisting with logistics for the Response Team Program which provides special visits to homebased older adults
• Assisting with preparations for our bimonthly Cooking with DOROT which provides meals for older adults at risk of homelessness
• Assisting with events for volunteers from companies
• Providing assistance and support for DOROT's Knit and Crochet Volunteers

***Check with your internship coordinator BEFORE accepting to determine how you might do this internship for credit.*** DOROT's Summer College Internship Program is funded by the Dorot Foundation and the Posner-Wallace Foundation among other donors.