AMICUS – VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MN & WI

Internship Opportunity

3041 Fourth Ave. South

Minneapolis, MN 55408

On Bus Lines: 11 & 21

Task Supervisor: Mary Maas Phone: 612-277-3009 Email: mary.maas@voamn.org

General Description of Agency’s Goals and Population Served:

Amicus partners with inmates, ex-offenders, juvenile offenders, at-risk youth and communities to build successful lives and stronger communities. Note: Amicus is Latin for “friend.” Within Amicus, “friendship” includes the professional boundaries and professional relationships as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Goals and Values:

• Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity
• Hope is necessary for a person to grow and change
• Working with an offender is a meaningful opportunity for community service
• The community benefits when offenders change their lives
• Personal change and growth in offenders are central to creating safer communities
• Amicus is a Learning Organization (Ten Steps to a Learning Organization, Kline & Saunders, 1998)
• Everyone has the responsibility to create safe communities
• Our programs are strengthened by achieving cultural diversity among our stakeholders
• It is essential to maintain programmatic independence and integrity

Description and Goals of Specific Program Requesting Students:

The Reconnect program provides specialized, one-on-one planning, referrals, and assistance for ex-offenders who are returning to the community and searching for jobs, housing, ID, transportation, and other identified needs.

Activities or Responsibilities Possible for Field Students:

With individuals or families:

Reconnect:

• Resources and referral services with reentry clients
• Limited case-management with reentry clients
• Database documentation
• Program evaluation
• Special projects as assigned
• Small cash transactions

With Groups:

• Ex-Offender Support Group (weekly)
• One to One Volunteer Trainings (monthly)
• Volunteer Support Circles (quarterly)

Agency Programming and staff/team work:

• Employment advantage
• One to One (mentoring program)
• Men of Rafiki and Sisters Helping Sisters (for long-term or full year interns)

Community (networking, referrals, site visits, organizations, advocacy efforts):

• Second Chance Day on the Hill
• Minnesota Department of Corrections Transition Fairs
• Transition Coalition meetings monthly

Qualities Desired for Effective Work in this Program:

Amicus strives for high ethical and professional standards of conduct as an integral part of its mission. To achieve this goal, the organization relies on each intern’s ethical behavior, honesty, integrity, and good judgement. Each intern should demonstrate respect for the rights of others. Each intern is accountable for their actions. All interns shall dress, speak, and conduct themselves in a manner conducive to the achievement of the organization’s mission.

Placement Requirements:

Specific hours the student needs to work on a weekly basis

Prefer a minimum of 6 hours/week

Specific orientation or training required by agency

Yes, 1day training

Offers the student evening and weekend hours with supervision available

No

Personal car is needed for transporting clients

No

Student needs proof of auto insurance

No

Wheelchair accessible

Yes

Agency conducts criminal background checks

Amicus has a commitment to providing opportunities for students and employees with a criminal past

Other medical tests, immunizations required

No

Placement presents out-of-the-ordinary personal safety risks to students

Yes, students will be working with the ex-offender population

Other requirements (such as references, additional applications, etc.)

Yes, interview with Amicus staff.

September, 2019