Program Information The Salvation Army Depot Family Crisis Center is an intensive transitional shelter program for homeless families and individuals. Since 1993, the facility has operated with 11 single-family rooms and three dorms.
Our primary target population is homeless families (80%) and single women (20%). Approximately 10% of our client population has a mental illness, developmental disabilities, or dual diagnoses.
Student intern will have the opportunity to facilitate and co-lead groups in areas such as Recovery 101, Relapse Prevention, Anger Management, Life Skills, Journaling, and Group Therapy. This provides experience in group dynamics, psychoeducation, and therapeutic support.
Support client self-sufficiency by engaging in programs such as Employment Readiness, Financial Literacy, and Self-Sufficiency 101, gaining exposure to case management and life-skills coaching.
Practice assessment and engagement skills by working with individuals in recovery and shelter settings, learning to identify client needs, barriers, and strengths.
Develop intervention skills through involvement in classes on co-dependency, personal growth, and relapse prevention, where students observe and contribute to client progress.
Build communication and conflict resolution skills while supporting clients in structured and unstructured environments, navigating sensitive topics like trauma, substance use, and family reintegration.
Strengthen professional documentation and reflective practice by assisting with personal journaling activities and program evaluations.
Gain insight into trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented practice by working alongside staff and clients in a shelter and recovery environment.
Through these opportunities, students will develop critical professional competencies in engagement, assessment, intervention, group facilitation, case management, advocacy, and professional ethics—all essential for social work practice in community-based and recovery settings.