Summer Social Work Volunteer

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The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990, provides job training, transitional employment, and supportive services to people who are experiencing homelessness. In complement, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. HGP's programs take place in a 3.5-acre organic farm and related enterprises. Social Work Volunteers (SWV) work with HGP's Connecting with Community program. SWV work one-on-one with trainees to promote trainees' full participation in our job training and transitional employment programs by addressing needs such as health care, legal issues, transportation, and shelter. With SWV, trainees identify goals that will create and sustain their own well-being. SWV monitors trainee progress toward goals and support meaningful engagement in accomplishing goals. In addition, SWV foster trainee progress toward unsubsidized employment as a key long-term goal related to a career plan.

Duration of position: mid-May through early September
Schedule: 10-12 hours/week; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Thursdays are currently required; social work and staff meetings are held Thursdays, 1-2 PM.

HGP offers Social Work Volunteers a schedule with some flexibility and choice within the structure of our trainees' weekly work schedule. Meetings with trainees take place during their workday, Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-2:00. Social Work Volunteers work with trainees to find the best times to meet. Thursdays are currently required; supervision, social work, and staff meetings are held on this day. Meetings take place in person at our 3.5-acre organic farm.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment: work with trainees to identify current needs.
• Service Planning: collaboratively develop a plan focused on supports, activities, and resources required to achieve personal goals.
• Advocacy and Referrals: help educate and connect trainees to available and appropriate resources.
• Counseling & Goal Setting: provide support and structure for relevant goal setting.

• Good listening skills
• Well organized
• Appreciation of diversity & commitment to social justice
• Bachelor's degree in a related field

• Work under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, service planning, and evaluation

• Experience working in a nonprofit social service setting
• Familiarity with community resources
• Develop counseling skills
• Gain training in Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychology