New Beginnings is Seattle’s only full-service agency whose primary mission is to serve domestic violence survivors. Our mission is to empower survivors and mobilize community awareness and action to end domestic violence. We envision a world free of violence and oppression, reflected in peaceful relationships and communities. New Beginnings was founded in 1976 as the first domestic violence shelter in Seattle and one of the first three in the country. In 1991, we started a Community Advocacy Program to deliver services in a community-based setting. We opened a Transitional Housing Program in 1996, and in 2005, our Social Change Program was created to prioritize violence prevention. In April 2017, New Beginnings reorganized our emergency shelter and transitional housing programs into the Home Safe Program to offer DV Housing First services. In 2021, we launched a county-wide consolidated 24/7 helpline, the DVHopeline. A breakdown of our programs and services is as follows:

1. The DVHopeline provides a centralized 24-hour King County helpline for domestic violence survivors and the wider community. In 2023, we expanded into Pierce County to provide helpline services to that community. In addition to phone access, an online chat service is also available to receive life-saving referrals and support.
2. Community Advocacy Program provides emotional support, safety planning, and direct financial assistance to survivors and their children. Staff Advocates and our Mental Health Therapist effectively lead survivors to housing, food, health care, education and employment solutions through individual resource planning, legal advocacy, mental health therapy, financial assistance, support groups, parenting support, and social service referrals.
3. We also create access to safe housing options for 100 survivors and children annually through the Home Safe Program. Home Safe provides refuge through temporary housing at our 17-unit apartment building; rapid re-housing through referrals; direct financial assistance to help secure or maintain other stable housing; and hotel vouchers for crisis situations.
4. Finally, we aim to break the cycle of abuse through our Social Change Program. This program works towards preventing and ultimately ending domestic violence by facilitating healthy relationships curriculum with teens and educating parents, teachers, counselors, and other community members about dating abuse, prevention and intervention.

Opportunities below are subject to change and depend on various program director and advocate capacity for supervision/coordination.

- May shadow or co-facilitate survivor support groups with Advocates in our Community Advocacy Program (CAP)
- May have the opportunity to provide support, information, referrals, safety planning and other advocacy to survivors on our DVHopeline.
- May have the opportunity to provide one-on-one advocacy and safety planning with youth experiencing dating violence as New Beginnings’ teen services evolve (contingent on funding)

This placement is heavily mezzo. Students will work primarily in public school settings, facilitating healthy relationships curriculum with middle school students. Our in house Crushin’ It curriculum is facilitated in 8-10 middle schools each year. The 12 sessions include content on gender stereotypes, systemic power and control (the “isms”), flirting vs. sexual harassment, consent, dating abuse, media and dating values, boundaries, conflict resolution and accountability, and bystander intervention. According to pre and posttests, over 95% of students who complete the Crushin’ It curriculum demonstrate improved knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding healthy relationships and unhealthy relationships, consent, and bystander intervention.

Program Interns will:

- Co-facilitate two rounds of our 12-week Crushin' It healthy relationships curriculum with middle school students in Seattle Public Schools.
- Co-coordinate next year's Teen Leadership Council (TLC) at Ingraham High School (one student only).
- Meet with co-facilitator (Prevention Educator) as needed to prepare for Crushin’ It lessons.
- Facilitate domestic violence and healthy relationships workshops in high schools, colleges, and non-profits as comfort and capacity allow.
- Assist Social Change team in forming and strengthening relationships with organizations and institutions that serve youth in the Seattle area. Provide outreach regarding New Beginnings’ teen services.
- Represent New Beginnings at tabling events throughout King County—distribute DVHopeline cards, information about teen services, educational hand-outs, etc., and talk about ways to spot domestic violence and how to respond.
- Attend Prevention Coalition meetings and trainings as schedule allows.
- Actively participate in weekly team meetings and monthly All Staff meetings
- Meet weekly for supervision with Social Change Program Director

Additional opportunities are likely to present themselves.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the annual WSCADV lobby days.

Must complete New Beginnings’ 20-hour Comprehensive Domestic Violence training or comparable. The training series will take place over the summer or in the fall, so flexibility is ideal.

- A strong social justice analysis is a must.
- Basic understanding of domestic violence and a desire to learn more about root causes, risk and protective factors.
- Passionate about promoting healthy relationships.
- Experience and/or interest in working with youth.
- Comfort with public speaking and facilitation - or desire to gain comfort!
- Growth mindset
- Adaptability
- Ability to get to and from schools as needed

It is important that students have the flexibility to accommodate this placement's somewhat unpredictable schedule and geography. We are never 100% certain which schools we will be in until the beginning of each school year, nor do we know which days/times will work best for each school partner. This placement requires that students are able to work outside of the SSW set practicum schedule, as we do not facilitate groups on Tuesdays. We will do our best to match students with schools that work best for them. We are partnered with schools in West, South, Central, NE and NW Seattle.

Being bilingual in Spanish is a plus, but not a requirement

Please send your resume and cover letter to Hilary at hbowker@newbegin.org. I look forward to meeting you!

Please visit teen.newbegin.org or our IG page @NBCrushinIt for more program specific information.