Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Roxbury Headquarters – Roxbury, MA
Position Type
Part Time
Education Level
Not Specified
Salary Range
$17.00 – $17.00 Hourly
Job Shift
Day
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
Description
Title/Position: Playspace Program Intern
Location: Playspace Program
Reports to: Playspace Program Statewide Director
FLSA Class: Temporary Hourly
Date Written: 1/3/2023.
Organization (Horizons) Description:
Horizons for Homeless Children is a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helping their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. To support our mission, we also advocate on behalf of young children, train educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless children.
The Playspace Program is based on the belief that play is essential for child development. Our Playspace Program ensures that children living in over 50 homeless shelters in Massachusetts have the opportunity for developmentally appropriate play. We build age-appropriate, child-friendly, and educational Playspaces in shelters and stock them with books, developmental toys, and art supplies. Playspaces are staffed by more than 400 trained volunteers, called Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs), who commit two hours weekly for at least six months. In addition to facilitating the play that is crucial for children’s development, PALs enable parents to participate in activities such as parenting groups, budgeting classes or job searches.
Summary of Position:
The Playspace Program Volunteer Intern is responsible for providing ongoing support by managing the logistics of running a network of volunteers, including ensuring accurate and up-to-date records are maintained on our database. The Playspace Program Intern completes the maintenance and restocking of Playspace where volunteers are placed and works with the Director to assure that the Playspace are developmentally appropriate and trauma informed places to play. The Playspace Program Intern supports volunteers by sharing knowledge of how to work with young children who have experienced the trauma of being homeless, by responding to all volunteer and shelter correspondence promptly, and by proactively ensuring that assigned volunteer shifts are running effectively. This is an hourly hybrid position working in shelters and at the administrative headquarters in Boston MA.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Shift Support: Support shift management by attending Playspace shifts at shelters-based programs at assigned partners. Responds to shift support needs as directed by Playspace Program staff. Facilitate volunteers using QuickBase to accurately record PAL and child attendance to assure collection of accurate data.
- Volunteer Support: Share shift feedback and address any volunteer-related concerns and involve Playspace staff as needed. Support volunteers through engaging and modeling developmentally appropriate ways to play with young children.
- Volunteer Retention: Assist with volunteer retention efforts. Attend shelter volunteers’ shifts 2 times a week. Strengthen relationships with volunteers through regular communication and elicit feedback from volunteers regarding their shifts to help foster volunteer retention. Assist with volunteer training, volunteer events, activities and workshops.
- Playspace Quality Efforts: Assist Program Director to ensure that all Playspaces are optimally equipped, meet design standards and operational; conduct regular organization and restocking of Playspace, assist with the installation and opening of new Playspace.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
Education & experience
Qualifications:
- Associate degree or higher
- Data entry experience
- Knowledge of children ages 0-6
- Bilingual in Spanish, Haitian Creole or Portuguese a plus
- Experience working with at-risk populations a plus.
- Experience working with children experiencing homelessness a plus.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Excellent communication and high-level organizational skills
- Excellent telephone skills
- Able to lift 50 lbs.
- Ability to work flexible hours which will include 2 weekday evenings.
- Knowledge of current Windows operating system (Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel)
- Valid driver’s license and reliable car required.
Horizons for Homeless Children is committed to diversity and is an AA/EEO employer.