La Cura Collective is a youth-centered, community-driven organization rooted in healing and dedicated to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. We support justice-impacted and youth at promise through education, mentorship, leadership development, workforce development, and pathways to success. Our mission is to create opportunities, strengthen community connections, and empower young people to build healthy, fulfilling futures while addressing the systemic barriers that impact their lives.
Program Information General Description of what students will be doing at this Site:
Students will gain hands-on experience supporting youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth throughout Monterey County.
Students may work in alternative education settings, including continuation schools, community day schools, court schools, juvenile halls, and youth detention facilities, subject to required clearances and facility approval.
Students will be supporting La Cura Collective's programs through mentorship, peer support, educational skill-building, reentry navigation, higher education access, career readiness, leadership development, and community engagement. They may assist with individual and group coaching, facilitate educational and leadership activities, conduct research, support community outreach and partnerships, and contribute to nonprofit operations and program development.
Students will receive training in trauma-informed care, person-centered language, cultural humility, WRAP principles, and peer support practices.
Students must also be willing to complete required MediCal Peer Support Specialist training. Through this experience, students will develop professional skills while helping youth heal, reclaim their narratives, and build pathways to education, careers, and leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
Support mentorship and peer support activities for youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth.
Assist with individual and group coaching, educational skill-building, and leadership development.
Support reentry navigation, higher education access, career readiness, and workforce development activities.
Assist with community outreach, partnership development, research, program coordination, and nonprofit operations.
Support program and grant-related projects.
Participate in trauma-informed and culturally responsive services in alternative education settings and, when permitted, juvenile halls and youth detention facilities.
Desired Intern Characteristics:
Passion for working with youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth.
Commitment to trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and person-centered language.
Strong communication, collaboration, organization, and interpersonal skills.
Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and work as part of a team. Interest in social work, public health, nonprofit management, education, behavioral health, reentry, juvenile justice, or youth development.
Commitment to completing required MediCal Peer Support Specialist training.
Special Considerations:
Students must be comfortable working with youth who have experienced trauma and/or involvement with the education and justice systems.
Some placements may require background checks, facility clearance, fingerprinting, or other security requirements.
Students must maintain confidentiality, follow professional boundaries, and complete required training.
Access to juvenile halls and youth detention facilities is subject to facility approval and clearance requirements.
Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: Students may collaborate with professionals and community partners. Students may also participate in multidisciplinary projects involving educators, peer support specialists, community-based organizations, government agencies, and other service providers working to support youth and reduce barriers to success.
Concentration:
- Social Work
- Community Health
- Public Administration/ Non-profit Management
Format of Service:
- Remote Service
- In-Person Service
Type of Service: Direct Client Service
The following HHSPP Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Conflic Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Information Management
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or PH)
- Leadership
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
trainings/ staff meetings offered or required:
Students will be required to participate in weekly staff and field placement meetings. These meetings will provide an opportunity for supervision, mentorship, training, program discussions, project updates, and professional development.
Additional meetings, trainings, or orientations may be scheduled as needed based on the student's placement responsibilities, program activities, and requirements of partner sites.