ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other. 

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Drop In Services Intern 

Employment Classification: Internship

Reports to: ORC Supervisor

Department: Orangewood Resource Center/Drop-In 

Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:30am-5pm; Tues,Thurs: 10am-7:00PM

Program Summary: 

The Orangewood Resource Center (ORC) is available to assist youth with services needed to become independent. Our goal is to provide youth with individualized guidance and assistance to help them live independently. The ORC is a one-stop shop for information on other Orangewood programs and referrals to other organizations that can help youth.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Shadowing during youth visits
• Engaging with youth
• Building rapport with youth
• Working with youth to provide assistance with goals (housing, employment, education, etc.) 
• Writing case notes 
• Youth and resource research
• Communicating with community partners 
• Unloading and organizing donations
• Updating boards with resources 
• Assisting with creating flyers 
• Assisting with events 
• Packaging groceries and hygiene bags for the youth 

All interns will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their Fieldwork Supervisor and other team members, as well as perform tasks independently.

Learning Outcomes:

• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, gender/ethnic/and sexual orientation issues.
• Familiarity with the community Orangewood serves, as well as resources available in the community.
• How to determine the appropriate resources for individual clients, and how to access those resources.
•  The importance of a professional appearance and demeanor.
• How to separate issues of self and client, as well as how to set boundaries with clients.
• Essential work-place skills including taking initiative, self-motivation, and how to ask for, and take, direction from a supervisor.
• Students working with Orangewood clients will develop a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• By the end of the internship, the student will be able to identify their own professional work ethic.
• Flexibility in a professional environment.
• Problem solving skills.
• Active listening.
• Clear and concise professional writing.
• Computer skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Conflict resolution.
• Assessment skills.

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.