Human Services Fall 2024 InternshipAt — Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC)

DSAOC's Human Services Fall 2024 Internship provides many learning opportunities due to various programs, activities, and events. Interns will develop program coordination that reflect the organization's mission and implement a designed plan.

Spanish: If you are bilingual (English/Spanish), you can support the Spanish language literacy program, Mano a Mano, and must have some Saturday morning availability.  

Program Support: Interns will check in/greet families and their loved ones with Down syndrome daily during teen/adult programming running during the week at the Center (mainly late afternoon/evening). Interns will experience working directly with teens and adults with Down syndrome. Interns will assist with hybrid classes managing Zoom. Interns will help with the data entry project to update our current info in the new database. Interns will assist with New Baby Baskets, research and outreach, volunteer coordination, program and special event preparation, and day-to-day operations, which include email checks, answering phone calls, voicemail checks, mail runs, and running copies.

Tasks:

Interns will assist with the day of coordination.
Interns will gain knowledge of the Down syndrome community.
Interns will support early literacy programs (if bilingual -Spanish/English).
Interns will be on the front line of hospitality at programs and events.
Interns will learn to be self-motivated, take initiative, and understand the importance of a professional appearance. 
Interns will support agency policies, safety standards, and security procedures to ensure individuals with Down syndrome are kept in safe environments.
Interns will learn realistic expectations and the importance of meeting deadlines.
Interns will see the technology most important at nonprofits and help with data entry into the database.

Training:

The intern will be trained in our organization's mission and provided with technical information and resources about Down syndrome, appropriate language use, and context to respond appropriately within and outside our community. They will have weekly one-to-one supervision meetings with a direct supervisor and have access to the Executive Director for questions, work feedback, and guidance on specific projects. Interns will receive a detailed tour of the facility, meet staff and understand their roles, and review a comprehensive PowerPoint to understand DSAOC's history and what Down syndrome is. Interns will receive hands-on training and will receive constant supervision and support from staff and long-time volunteers.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to communicate quickly and comfortably with individuals with Down syndrome of all ages and those with other disabilities.
The student will gain a great sense of hospitality and understand the importance of relationship-building in business and the nonprofit sector.
The student will understand how a nonprofit functions, based on individual contributions, program fees, grants, and special events, vs. a for-profit that may sell a consumable product.
The student will learn about community resources, such as county, state, or federal government services like the Regional Center of Orange County, and more grassroots and non-government-funded resources.
The student will be able to solve problems, actively listen, think critically, and gain organizational, computer, and interpersonal skills.
The student will understand how collaborating with organizations and businesses is critical for the organizations to serve the community better and thrive.