Summer Internship
H.E.A.R.T. is proud to offer its award-winning programs as a shorter summer internship in collaboration with the Houston Food Bank. This program is ideal for youth and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are interested in a summer internship experience or would like to experience a workplace environment. Participants will receive instruction on job skills and hands-on training as well as leadership and advocacy training *. Upon completion of the internship, participants will receive a transcript of all the skills learned and hours trained during the session. There is no cost to attend this internship program. Each participant can only be enrolled in one session. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.
Session 1: June 8 – July 2, 2020 – ONLINE
Participants will learn about the TCDD Youth Leadership & Advocacy curriculum. Participants will receive instruction on making choices, understanding their disability, communication, laws and rights, teams, and leadership.
Online classes will take place Monday-Friday with two Zoom sessions per day:
- Morning Session: 10:00AM-12:00PM
- Afternoon Session: 1:00PM-2:00PM
- Opportunity for tutoring sessions will be made available.
Qualifications:
- Ages 14 to 22.
- Must have an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (diagnosis required).
- Must have access to the internet and a device to participate in daily Zoom trainings.
- Would like to learn about leadership and self-advocacy.
- Must be a resident of Texas.
How to Apply:
Application Deadline: June 1, 2020
Please submit applications to krivas@heartprogram.org. Any questions, please contact Kevin Rivas at (832) 303-1416.
Session 1 Flyer: DOWNLOAD
Session 2: July 13 – August 7, 2020 – ON-SITE
During this session, interns can be expected to experience:
- Leadership & Advocacy Curriculum
You will receive advocacy training. Do you know what your disability is? Do you know what accommodations you can be provided to do your job? In this curriculum, you will learn communication skills, how to work in teams, how to take on leadership roles, and practicing those skills in the workplace and your community.
- Experience “The Food Bank Emergency Pantry”
Ever wanted to stock products in a convenience store or a grocery store? Here is your chance to experience what it is like to intern in a “real world” store environment located within the Houston Food Bank. Participants will learn to identify different kinds of fruits, vegetables, dry goods, canned goods, meats, as well as experience grocery store stocking and inventory skills plus much more in this innovative summer experience.
- Be “The Coke Restocker”
Have you noticed the folks restocking vending machines at your school, office, or other location and thought to yourself, “I can do that!” Now, here is your chance. Through this summer internship, participants will learn to operate and restock vending machines including bottled drinks, canned drinks, snacks, and candy machines. All machines are located within the Houston Food Bank. Participants will learn how to count money, identify and inventory products, and how to stock, maintain and troubleshoot vending machines all while learning valuable customer service skills.
This session takes place at the Houston Food Bank (535 Portwall St, Houston, TX 77029). It runs from 8AM-5PM, Monday through Friday.
Qualifications:
- Ages 16 to 22
- Must have an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (diagnosis required)
- Must have transportation to and from the Houston Food Bank daily
- Must bring a lunch during the day
- Would like to experience a work environment
How to Apply:
Application Deadline: July 6, 2020
Please submit applications to krivas@heartprogram.org. Any questions, please contact Kevin Rivas at (832) 303-1416.
Session 2 Flyer: DOWNLOAD
*Financial support for the Leadership and Advocacy Training project is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, with Federal funds* made available by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Disabilities. *$125,000 (80%) DD funds; $21,300 (20%) non-federal resources.
