Alternative House, an Abused and Homeless Children’s Refuge, serves as an emergency shelter for teens. They have opportunities for up to 4 undergraduate students each semester. Interns would be working with a residential program for up to 8 at-risk adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 who are experiencing a crisis necessitating out of home placement. Typical intern responsibilities include:

• answering the telephone
• assisting counselors with case management tasks
• conducting initial screening assessment
• supervising residents
• co-facilitating morning group
• assisting residents with their homework
• completing projects as assigned
•  ex. Contacting local school counselors to inform them of AH’s services or compiling demographic information for statistical reports

Students must be willing to work a minimum of two six-hour shifts a week for the entire semester regardless of the hours needed for their respective internship. Students need to be adaptable as the crisis nature of the shelter can be chaotic at times.

To Apply: Students should go to the Alternative House website and read the Internship Information under the Get Involved tab (http://www.thealternativehouse.org/vol_intern.htm). Instructions should be followed and submissions need to be accurate and complete. Internship Learning Objectives must be clearly stated in the online volunteer application. Once the requested documentation is received, an interview will be set up as placements are a competitive process.

Location:

2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182

The Alternative House Teen Shelter is two miles from the Dunn Loring metro stop on the Orange Line, and is bus accessible.