Mental Health Access & Support
Hudson Valley Clubhouse
Non-profit, 1-5 team members
Address: 98 Cannon Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas:Housing Insecurity/Justice, Mental Health Access and Support
About: Hudson Valley Clubhouse is one of over 370 therapeutic, working communities in 32 countries. A Clubhouse is a community-based location designed to support the recovery of people living with serious mental illness (SMI). Each clubhouse provides a restorative environment for people whose lives have been severely disrupted because of their mental illness.
In each Clubhouse, an intentional community is created, where members and staff work together, side-by-side, to carry out all daily operations of the Clubhouse. Members are also given access to crisis intervention services when needed and are connected with resources to support their basic needs, including support with employment, relationship building, education, housing, and daily meals.
Position description: Each student is asked to join one of our two work units, career and communications or home and garden. Students learn the process of welcoming and engaging members (Clubhouse participants) in running all aspects of the Clubhouse, learning about members’ lives and community interests and needs, and assisting members in addressing those needs. All of this is done in a collegial manner that is more of a partnership and not a “treatment” mode. Students have the opportunity to learn about the wider mental health system and how to assist members with housing, employment, educational and public benefits needs.
Desired Skills:Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Social media management, interest in mental health policy and services; interest in psychosocial rehabilitation models, interpersonal communication
Hours: 4hrs/week Positions Available: 2
Are you interested in getting involved with the Clubhouse HV? Visit here for your next steps.
Dutchess County Department of Mental Health Services – FULL FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Mental-Health-Services.htm
Government department
Address: 230 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Action Areas: Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health
About: Mental health services include services and programs for individuals living with mental health and/or substance use issues. Some services are offered directly by the County, and others are offered by our contract agencies.
Position description: Student CEL Projects could include
1) Supporting Meloxicam Programs – calling and connecting with organizations to distribute Meloxicam, resources, and trainings
2) Resources Support with the Leave Behind Project. Creating care packages and resources for first responders share
3) Street Team Street Outreach
4) Student Identified Projects – the Department is open to projects that are within the areas of the student(s) interest
Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Research
Hours: 4hrs/week
Positions Available: 1-4
Are you interested in getting involved with the Department of Mental Health? Visit here for your next steps.
The Brain and Body Coalition, LLC
For-profit, 5-10 team members
Address: Programming occurs around the Hudson Valley and within Dutchess County. 2600 South rd Suite 44, Box 104 Poughkeepsie NY 12601.
Action Areas:Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health
About:The Brain and Body Coalition (BBC) is committed to enhancing children’s mental health within communities of color through education, advocacy, and proactive care. Our focus is on the well-being of children while also empowering those who support them with essential training.
Our dedicated team of mental health educators in New York conducts signature workshops, evidence-based training, and community outreach initiatives aimed at dismantling stigma and fostering proactive approaches to mental health. Through innovative programming, easily accessible resources, and culturally responsive support, The Brain and Body Coalition promotes a holistic approach to wellness that empowers individuals and strengthens entire communities.
Summer CEL Position Description:
Student will assist and promote programs around BIPOC Mental Health Awareness, Mens Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. These are initiatives that are often under looked but due to the stigma attached to them it is important to work on specific projects, media campaigns, and programs. Depending on the students’ skills assisting with community outreach events, attending and assisting with fishing programs, speaking to public officials, compiling proclamations, attending health fairs, or working on social media are all possible tasks that will be discussed.
Please check back for Fall CEL position description.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Bilingual with another language, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Public speaking/presenting, Social media management, Fishing or other outdoor sports
Hours: 8hrs/week
Positions Available: 2
Are you interested in getting involved with The Brain & Body Coalition? Visit here for your next steps.
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue (must have access to a vehicle)
Non-profit, 30+ team members
Address: 2699 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY
Action Areas: Animal welfare, humane education, equine-assisted development
About: People Helping Horses Heal People is the mission that guides everything we do. It holds us to the highest standard of care and rehabilitation for our horses and is at the heart of our educational approach and programming. As a sanctuary, we are committed to the life-long wellbeing of our horses and believe in the healing bond between humans and horses.
Since Lucky Orphans opened its barn doors in 2008 we have helped many horses, along with some sheep and goats, find a more promising and meaningful future. It is our goal to not only save these wonderful animals but to also strengthen the relationship between people and animals to build a more compassionate future.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
Students can engage in equine experiential education, equine-assisted development, volunteer opportunities, event planning, social media/website design.
Desired Skills: Depending on internship focus: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Public speaking/presenting, Social media management, Web design, Video editing/production, event planning & fundraising.
Additional Requirements: Background check and access to a vehicle
Hours: 4hrs/week
Positions Available: as many as are interested in learning about a working non-profit horse sanctuary
Are you interested in getting involved with Lucky Horses? Visit here for your next steps.
Family Services – Children’s Center
29 N. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
About: Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley.
Action Areas: Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, youth services, gun violence prevention, domestic violence
Position Description: The Children’s Center Intern assists the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children’s Center Program agreements. The Intern provides a safe and creative curriculum for children while their families attend to court business and offers consultation to families for resources within the community. The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values. Under the supervision of program staff, interns may facilitate activities with children and offer supportive counseling to parents. In addition to direct-services, interns will assist with administrative and clerical duties. Intern responsibilities will be inclusive of areas identified in their respective college/university learning plan. Children Center Interns enthusiastically support, practice, and communicate the agency’s mission and statement of values.
Role/Responsibilities:
- Responsible for assisting with the direct care and safety of the children left in the center
under the supervision of program staff.- Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.
- Will assure center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality guidelines.
- Under the supervision of program staff, assisting with required intakes and reports.
- Prepares and submits information for monthly reports to appropriate entities.
- Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.
- Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.
- Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.
- Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
development of children in center at any given time. - Develops and implements monthly/seasonal themes and constructive activities in
a long-range plan - Will implement the established curriculum guidelines
- Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
- Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children’s needs.
- Remains informed on current local resources and services.
- Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to
appropriate agency/program.
- Assisting the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in the planning and coordinating the Children’s Center/Supervised Visitation Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Associate Director and Director of Family Support Services
- Completion of all required training for staff.
- Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.
- Develop creative “in-class” programs based on age and present teachable
Hours: 4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the Children’s Center? Visit here for your next steps.
Family Services
https://familyservicesny.org/
Volunteer-run, 30+ team members
Address: 29 North Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Mental Health Access and Support, gun violence prevention, crime and violence victim services and support, family supports
About: Founded in 1879, Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley. Our program areas include Behavioral Health, Victim Services, Family Programs, Youth Services, Community Safety, and Prevention. Last year, nearly 17,000 children, adults, and families benefited from Family Services programs in Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties.
Family Services also manages the Family Partnership Center as a location where the community can come together for conversation and the exchange of ideas, participate in athletics and arts programming, and where a variety of nonprofits and related organizations can co-locate and collaborate to offer enhanced services that create real access. Last year over 70,000 people took advantage of services or activities on this 100,000+ square foot campus.
Position description: Family Partnership Center (FPC) Ambassadors are unpaid volunteers who create a welcoming environment for FPC visitors and assist with connecting people to services. The FPC is available to the community as a place to come together for conversation and the exchange of ideas, to participate in athletics and arts programming, and where a variety of nonprofits co-locate and collaborate to offer enhanced services that create real access. It is estimated that the Center serves between 45,000 and 70,000 individuals a year with more than 110,000 service interactions.
We also have an opportunity to assist with our Communications and Marketing department.
Desired Skills:Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Previous experience working with young people, Social media management, Writing
Hours:4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Family Services? Visit here for your next steps.
Mediation Center of Dutchess County
https://dutchessmediation.org/mediation-restorative-justice/restorative-justice/
Non-profit, 1-5 team members
Address: 205 South Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Youth and Community needs, Racial Justice, Education Policy and Equity, Mental Health Access and Support
About: The fundamental principles of a Restorative approach are that all humans:
- Wish to be in good relationship with others;
- Need to feel a sense of belonging in order to thrive;
- Need to feel seen and heard in order to feel they belong;
- Are more likely to consider the impact of their actions on others if those challenging their actions are those with whom they are in good relationship; and
- Have the capacity to be accountable for their actions when they are supported through a non-judgmental process of self-reflection and perspective-taking.
Position description: Helping structure the internship (building systems, data collection)
- facilitating/helping with circles
- write circles (restorative and community-building)
- Creating a resources and guide (for community, colleges, age groups)
- Shadowing/Observing
- Sharing insights, perspectives, and ideas
Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Graphic design, Previous experience working with young people, Previous experience in this field, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Web design, Writing, Data collection/analysis
Hours:4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the MCDC? Visit here for your next steps.
Boys and Girls Club of Poughkeepsie
Non-profit, 30+ team members
221 Smith St. / 120 Hudson Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY , 12601
Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Housing Insecurity/Justice, Mental Health Access and Support
About:
Our mission is to enable all young people especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as caring, productive, responsible citizens through daily homework help, programs and strong relationships.
Position Description:
- Creating lessons catered to our program schedule, helping with homework, being a mentor to provide wisdom through their own knowledge and life experience.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Previous experience working with young people, Data collection/analysis
Hours: 4hrs/week; 8 hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the Boys and Girls Club? Visit here for your next steps.
The Growing STEMZ Foundation
Non-profit, 1-5 team members
Address: 295 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Mental Health Access and Support, Racial Justice, Equity in STEM Education
About:
The Growing STEMz Foundation is an organization dedicated to empowerment for communities through STEM/STEAM education via consulting, program development, professional development, tutorials, parent engagement and more.
Collaboration with others and Expressive Arts meets Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, are the hallmarks of our mission. We envision community engagement through project based experiences and developing 21st Century Skills for a competitive global marketplace. We advocate for Educational and Environmental Justice, Equity in STEM Education, and Social Justice.
Our ideal customers are students, educators, and parents. Our ideal partnerships will lead to increased exposure, learning, and college/career readiness for urban, underserved and marginalized communities in STEM.
Position description:
- Informal direct teaching (Teachers Assistant) via Science LABs, Science Club, Science Research in Elementary School Environment.
- Audit Teacher Planning Meetings
- Develop Youth Workshops (STEAM, Field Research)
- Assist in Planning and Coordinating STEM FEST Event May 2025
- Conduct and analyze surveys and questionnaires for organizational development
- Conduct Materials and Resources Inventory (develop a system)
- Enhance Organization Social Media
- Outreach
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Fact-checking, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Social media management, Data collection/analysis, Familiarity with STEM ideals
Hours:4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The Growing STEMZ Foundation? Visit here for your next steps.