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Youth Advocate Intern

Learn what it means to show up for youth in crisis at St. Cloud Youth Shelter

180 Degrees believes every young person deserves a safe place to land, no matter what brought them to our door. Our youth shelters provide short-term, crisis-based shelter and stabilization for teens ages 12–19 facing homelessness, family conflict, exploitation, or involvement with child welfare, probation, or law enforcement. For many of these youth, our program is the first stable, structured environment they've had in a long time.

As a Youth Advocate Intern, you'll get hands-on experience supporting youth during one of the most critical moments of their lives while being mentored by experienced Youth Advocates and shelter staff. This is real, meaningful work: you'll build relationships, learn trauma-informed care in practice, and see firsthand what it takes to create safety and stability for young people in crisis.

You won't be doing this alone. You'll work alongside a full team of Youth Advocates, case managers, and support staff, learning the ropes of direct care while contributing to the daily rhythm of the shelter.

What you'll actually do:

• Support youth navigating trauma, instability, and uncertainty under the guidance of experienced staff
• Build genuine, appropriate relationships that help youth feel seen and supported
• Learn the day-to-day rhythm of the shelter — supervision, structure, and support
• Observe and practice de-escalation skills alongside trained Youth Advocates
• Assist with daily living needs and basic life-skill modeling
• Support documentation and case management processes under supervision
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical practice

Why intern with 180 Degrees:

• Gain real, hands-on experience in trauma-informed care and crisis response — not just classroom theory
• Learn directly from experienced Youth Advocates, case managers, and shelter leadership
• Build skills valuable for careers in social work, psychology, youth development, or human services
• Be part of a mission-driven team making a genuine impact on youth in crisis

This role is for you if: You're pursuing a path in social work, psychology, youth development, or a related field — and you want real experience, not just an observation seat. You stay calm under pressure and show up consistently. You're eager to learn from experienced professionals while contributing meaningfully to youth in crisis. And you want an internship where the work is real, human, and genuinely educational.

This is an internship position. Hours and schedule to be discussed based on academic requirements and program needs.

Qualifications:

• 21 years of age.
• Valid driver's license auto insurance required; ability to drive Company vehicle without restrictions.
• Ability to pass a criminal background study.
• Experience working with youth preferred.
• Must be able to lift, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and use flights of stairs.
• Must be able to walk regularly and frequently, including ascending and descending flights of stairs, to conduct safety checks.
• Lifting and physical requirements as required for kitchen and meal preparation duties; and as required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Essential Competencies:

• Cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to build rapport with youth while maintaining boundaries.
• De-escalation, crisis response, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong observational and communication skills.
• Basic food preparation skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete electronic documentation.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer. The employee is frequently required walk, stand, and go up and down stairs.

Work Environment:

This is an on-site, awake internship at our recently renovated emergency shelter in St. Cloud.

About 180 Degrees:

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a fast-growing non-profit organization. Founded over 50 years ago, 180 Degrees is recognized for piloting innovative solutions to address challenges of homelessness, sexual exploitation, poverty and incarceration. With program sites around the state, 180 Degrees continues to expand its portfolio of programs and services now impacting the lives of over 2,000 youth and adults each year. We seek leaders who will guide the next growth phase of our organization.

180 Degrees, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 180 Degrees' intention is for our staff reflect the communities we serve. We actively encourage women, people of color, differently abled, and other diverse candidates to apply for open positions.