The University District Food Bank provides their neighbors with reliable access to healthy food and vital resources. The Food Bank offers a grocery store style shopping experience for customers, where they are offered dignity through choice and ability to find food items that are culturally relevant. In July 2016, University District Food Bank moved from the University Christian Church into a new home, one shared with 49 affordable housing apartments. With this transition, they were able to significantly increase the amount of food provided to the Northeast Seattle community as their space increased in size. The expansion has allowed the food bank to provide additional programming and operations including Rooftop Roots, Apple-a-Day Café, and Community Connector programming. Today, they remain one of the busiest food banks in the city from the perspective of total household visits each month.

Our MSW interns have the opportunity to work directly with the Community Connector program. There are two positions available. During the interview process, you can let the team know if you have preference for one over the other.

• One intern will learn and provide one-on-one service to food bank customers and assist the team with other programmatic projects of interest. Interns will connect individuals to resources that fit their needs and goals. Interns will support customers in general referrals, completing screenings and applications to various programs and benefits. Resources can include SNAP benefits, healthcare coverage, utility discount programs, rental assistance programs, housing services, employment, and education opportunities, and much more. Depending on students’ interest, interns will be able to support the Community Connector team with programmatic projects to further improve the services of the program. There is flexibility in the types of projects available, the options will be discussed more in depth during the interview process.
• Another opportunity for an intern is to continue the integration of EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring program at our food bank. Mobility Mentoring provides a framework to work with individuals on skills to increase economic independence. This provides more one-on-one case management than drop-in direct service to our food bank customers. Follow this link for more information. https://empathways.org/approach/mobility-mentoring

The Community Connector MSW interns will support the Community Connector (CC) in working one on one with food bank customers to connect them with resources, benefits, and programs that suit their needs and goals. These customers come from a variety of backgrounds and identities, and many have experienced significant barriers to getting their needs met. Our interns will learn about common resources for their specific needs and facilitate their process in getting connected. Micro level programmatic projects in areas of interest to our interns can also be arranged and supported

Students will assist the CC in building strategic partnerships with organizations in the community that will increase access to resources for food bank customers and wider U District Community. Students will assist in locating and promoting resources in the community. Mezzo level programmatic projects in areas of interest to our interns can also be arranged and supported.

Although our organization does not directly engage in macro level work, our intern can participate in any macro social work opportunities. There may be opportunities to connect with community partners engaged in policy and advocacy work. We understand various social policies play a role in the lives of our customers. We support students’ interest in addressing various social issues through policy and advocacy. Macro level programmatic projects in areas of interest to our interns can also be arranged and supported.

Free food! We allow staff and volunteers to shop at the food bank at their discretion, and practicum students are encouraged to shop at the food bank if needed. We offer a $500 per quarter stipend per MSW student.

-Demonstrated experience communicating with and developing trusting relationships with diverse individuals, including those with a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, individuals with language barriers, mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
-Commitment to undoing institutionalized racism and building cultural awareness.
-Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, with varying abilities, sexual orientations, and of all ages.
-An understanding of issues related to poverty and hunger, and the unique challenges that face our customers.
-Ability to work independently and collaboratively, using discretion, professionalism, integrity, and compassion.
-Ability to tolerate unusual or unpleasant behavior from customers.
-Empathy, compassion and unconditional positive regard for our customers.
-Ability to maintain confidentiality.
-Enjoys being part of a team and able to work self-reliantly.
-Ability to adapt to a dynamic and unpredictable workplace environment.
-Ability to work in an open-office environment.

English Required/Other languages preferred - high need for Spanish & Chinese

Please email resume to sam@udistrictfoodbank.org with the subject line "MSW Practicum Application"