YWCA Unpaid Internships

Download our Internship Application and return by mail or email to Director of Volunteer Services: Intern Application

*All interns must be enrolled in an accredited degree program and receive credit for hours served.*

The YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is a vibrant not-for-profit, with administrative offices located in Green Hills.  The YWCA offers programs which help individuals break multi-generational cycles of poverty and violence while working to eliminate racism.  

Our internship program provides meaningful experiences in the field, helping students learn first-hand through real-world projects and assignments, while helping staff achieve vital program and agency goals.
If you have any questions contact Director of Volunteer Services at 615.983.5162 or by email.
Undergrad Intern Responsibilities at the Weaver Domestic Violence Center

Undergraduate interns for the Weaver Domestic Violence Center will learn invaluable tools and lessons to empower survivors of domestic violence.
Interns will be responsible for providing crisis intervention, community referrals and excellent customer service to callers on our 24 hour DV hotline.  Additionally, interns are responsible for providing supportive interaction to all shelter residents.  Most undergraduate intern time will be spent in the main office of the shelter.  In this office the crisis line is answered and residents come for needs ranging from getting their medication to speaking to office staff about various shelter concerns or issues.  Interns will also be trained on client intakes, exits and how to document all crisis calls and client interactions.
Interns will learn effective crisis intervention tools and how to help callers and clients with thorough safety planning.  Undergraduate students will leave this internship with a clear understanding of the cycles of domestic violence, the power and control wheel and effective tools to help survivors.
 

Children's Program Intern Description:

The YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Center seeks a Children's Program Intern at our domestic violence shelter. Duties include: assist shelter staff in preparing and conducting play therapy activities for children and youth on experiences surrounding domestic violence, grief, anger management, and loss; provide childcare for shelter children; provide support for moms in shelter, other duties as assigned. Most children are ages 0-12, but may go up to age 18. Candidate must be comfortable with being in a domestic violence shelter and being alone with small groups of children. Candidates must be available 2-4 days a week between the hours of 10am – 6pm, for up to 8 hours a week. Childcare experience encouraged and fluency in Spanish is a plus.  
 

Case Management/Counseling Intern Position Description:
Graduate Students Only

Interested in a Case Management/Counseling internship that gives you the opportunity to serve families residing in a domestic violence shelter?  The YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Center has a great opportunity for you!  As a case manager intern you will be responsible for your own caseload of families, meeting case management outcomes, facilitating a weekly group on a specific domestic violence topic and documenting necessary client information.  This opportunity would allow you to improve skills in case management, counseling, crisis intervention and documentation while working with staff who are committed to empowering their clients. 

Human Resources internship for a student which meets the following criteria:

  • Available 15 or more hours per week
  • Rank of junior or above
  • Grade point  of 3.0 or higher
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and with team
  • Expressed interest in human resources and organizational development

The intern will be supervised by an HR professional.  Students can expect to gain experience in:

  • Recruiting and hiring
  • HR Policies and Procedures
  • Training and Development
  •  Legal Compliance
  •  Employee Relations
  •  Working with a Board volunteer committee
  •  Orientation to mission-focused YW programs and social justice issues