What are the responsibilities and job description for the ASPIRE Youth Intern - PT position at Cornerstone Advocacy Service?
Our Mission: Cornerstone disrupts violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. We partner with individuals, families, and organizations to build communities free from harm.
Our Core Values: *Survivor- Centered *Social Justice *Well-Being *Collaboration *Integrity
Summary of Cornerstone:
Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org
Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Estimated Duration: Available for orientation and digital training starting the last week of August and work from September 16th – December 18th 2025 or September 16th – May 21st 2026.
Schedule: Part-time; Available 6-12 hours a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 2:30-6:30pm.
Pay Range: This position is unpaid.
Job Summary:
The ASPIRE afterschool program hosted by Cornerstone Advocacy Service is a youth program that will focus on building socio-emotional skills and fueling creative outlets for school-aged children who have experienced domestic violence and/or general crime. Interns will assist in providing care, leadership, and support for youth participating in the ASPIRE afterschool program. This will include, assisting children with school work and issues, supervising both structured and unstructured activity time, and creating unique inclusive socio-emotional lesson plans. All Interns will also be required to participate in (free) mandatory training and onboarding sessions to learn Cornerstone specific policies along with specific trauma-informed care practices.
Experience/Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Direct Services
EEO Statement:
Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Our Core Values: *Survivor- Centered *Social Justice *Well-Being *Collaboration *Integrity
Summary of Cornerstone:
Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org
Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Estimated Duration: Available for orientation and digital training starting the last week of August and work from September 16th – December 18th 2025 or September 16th – May 21st 2026.
Schedule: Part-time; Available 6-12 hours a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 2:30-6:30pm.
Pay Range: This position is unpaid.
Job Summary:
The ASPIRE afterschool program hosted by Cornerstone Advocacy Service is a youth program that will focus on building socio-emotional skills and fueling creative outlets for school-aged children who have experienced domestic violence and/or general crime. Interns will assist in providing care, leadership, and support for youth participating in the ASPIRE afterschool program. This will include, assisting children with school work and issues, supervising both structured and unstructured activity time, and creating unique inclusive socio-emotional lesson plans. All Interns will also be required to participate in (free) mandatory training and onboarding sessions to learn Cornerstone specific policies along with specific trauma-informed care practices.
Experience/Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent minimally required.
- Students who are studying and/or a part of their schools Early Education, Psychology, Child and Educational Psychology, and Social Work programs are preferred.
- Those who have had past experience working with Youth and/or are looking for Non-Profit experience are encouraged to apply; regardless of college enrollment status.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Direct Services
- Able to provide childcare/youth supervision and support to school-aged children. Engage with youth and their interests, activities, and play.
- Provide assistance with homework, school projects, and/or tutoring for youth during homework time.
- Assist volunteers from outside organizations in supervising and running their programs (Arts, Engineering, Phys-Ed).
- Develop and/or assist in developing age appropriate activities and lesson plans that will teach this population of youth skills in socio-emotional health, well-being, or coping/regulatory skills.
- Intervene during youth conflicts, disagreements, or disinterest using developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed tactics.
- Learn and maintain knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally-aware care that is specific to family and youth work.
- Offer trauma-informed and culturally-aware advice and advocacy to children when they ask for it AND/OR know when to bring concerns to the Cornerstone Youth Advocate Staff.
- Work in a team setting with other interns that prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and child-centered thinking.
- Clean and sanitize youth spaces and toys before and after ASPIRE begins.
- Ability to address minor physical injuries or illness of the youth when they come up.
- Assist in meal hand-outs for families during pick-up.
- Willingness to engage in physical activities with youth (e.g. running, variety of sports, crawling, etc.).
- Able to lift and carry up to 50lbs or ask for assistance when help is needed.
- Willingness to assist children with various bathroom and sanitary needs; based on child safety and multi-party consent.
- Able to keep track of and log attendance each session.
- Keep Cornerstone Youth Staff aware of any concerns regarding a child and/or families immediate safety.
- Accurately log the number of meals and snacks distributed amongst families during pick-up time.
- Accurately track when families are arriving to pick-up and following ASPIRE policies when families are late.
- Attend bi-weekly supervisor check-ins and team meetings.
EEO Statement:
Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
