Public Health
Dutchess County Dept of Behavioral & Community Health
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/dbch.htm
Address: 230 North Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY
Issue Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Housing Insecurity/Justice, LGBTQAI+ Rights, Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, Racial Justice, Legal Access
About:
The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health is the local county health department. Our mission is to employ and deploy a diverse group of capable, experienced, and motivated professionals to educate and engage the public, with an aim to protect and promote the health of all Dutchess County residents, families, and communities.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
We have several departments here at Dutchess County DBCH. Students have multiple places they may be able to support. Students will likely engage with our Coordinated Services teams, which are our front-facing staff and direct community initiatives. Students may support our Recovery-focused Empowerment Center programming, health education division, law enforcement diversion programming, educational training programming, outreach services and more. We have therapeutic art and gardening programs for community members, social engagement programming, graphic design education programs, virtual health education projects, film projects, community needs assessments programming, harm reduction supply distribution, health research projects, translation projects for health education materials, and more.
Each student may have a tailored experience specific to their skills, educational interests, and the needs of the organization. We welcome all students and do not limit participation in our program only to individuals with health-focused majors. Instead, we like to tap into student’s unique perspectives and learning to see how we can use those skills to assist with community health projects. Please follow this link to read the full description
Skills:
- Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Gardening/farming experience, GIS/Mapping, Graphic design, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Writing, Video editing/production, Data collection/analysis, Students may possess one or all of these skills.
Additional Requirements:
Background check, Fingerprinting, Driver’s license, This depends on where the student is placed.
Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the Department of Behavioral and Community Health? Visit here for your next steps.
The American Lung Association
Non-profit
Poughkeepsie Public Schools
30+, Nationwide over 300 team members
Issue Areas:
Education Policy and Equity, Public Health, Research
About:
The American Lung Association’s mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. We do this through education, advocacy, and research.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
We are seeking a student volunteer to assist the Health Promotions staff of the American Lung Association in executing various activities for our New York State Asthma Management in Schools (AMS) grant. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in the field of public health.
As student volunteers, they will be responsible for implementing asthma self-management education programs for children and families in the Poughkeepsie Community. Their role will involve strengthening the partnership between the school district and the American Lung Association and improving health outcomes for the students who participate in this program.
Additionally, they will gain valuable community and population health skills, allowing them to understand the larger framework of guideline-based asthma management that can improve health outcomes in the community we serve.
Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Bilingual with another language, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Previous experience working with young people, Previous experience in this field
Additional Requirements: Background check, Fingerprinting,
Are you interested in getting involved with the American Lung Association? Visit here for your next steps.
Vassar Brothers Medical Center
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/locations/vassar-brothers-medical-center
Address: 45 Reade Pl, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Issue Areas: Public Health
About: We are the largest healthcare provider in the area. We strive to be agile, connected, imaginative and pursue the impossible.
Position Description:
Help provide communication and comfort to patients, help staff with daily tasks.
Skills:
- Bilingual Spanish-English, Bilingual with another language, An interest in healthcare
Additional Requirements: Background check, Drug test, Orientation and medical health screening
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Vassar Brothers Medical Center? Visit here for your next steps.
Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital
Address: 241 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Issue Areas: Public Health
About:
We are a hospital in the Mid-Hudson Region. We have volunteers volunteering throughout the hospital.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
Volunteers assist where ever they are needed.
Additional Requirements: students will have a physical (with our employee nurse) they will need 2 references and on line orientation
Hours: 4hrs/week, if they can do more that is great. They are also able to volunteer over weekends if they wanted too
Positions Available: we can take on many volunteers as they are usually stationed at different areas
Are you interested in getting involved with Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital? Visit here for your next steps.
Evergreen Minds, Inc.
Address: Fishkill, NY
Issue Areas:
Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, LGBTQAI+ Rights, Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, Racial Justice, We are devout advocates to eradicate ageism and ableism which is so pervasive in our culture.
About:
We connect people living with dementia within our community through meaningful nature and expressive arts programs. One of our projects is called Project Growing Together and it is a dementia-inclusive and intergenerational community garden and creative art space. We welcome all to join us and include residents from local senior living homes to start seeds and create art for the garden. We give back produce to these care communities and our goal this year is to give to the local food bank. We believe everyone deserves access to fresh air, sunshine, and opportunities for continued contribution…and having dementia should not change this.
Position Description:
We could utilize students to help with social media content, developing and implementing fun and engaging fundraisers (nature-based), grant writing, tending the garden in the summer and or partnering with people living with dementia, possibly visiting local nursing homes and assisting us with community programs (ie We work with Dia Beacon, have scheduled art/music/nature programming at the garden, we are also at a few farmers markets periodically).
Skills:
Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Gardening/farming experience, Graphic design, Social media management, Web design, Writing, Video editing/production, comfort working independently
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Evergreen Minds? Visit here for your next steps.
Family Services
https://familyservicesny.org/
Volunteer-run
29 North Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie
30+ team members
Issue Areas:
Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, youth services, gun violence prevention, domestic violence
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.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
- We have various opportunities for students seeking internships, including marketing and communications, human resources, finance, and human services. Please visit our website or contact Rachel Pacella for more information.
Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Graphic design, Previous experience working with young people, Social media management, Writing, Video editing/production
Additional Requirements: Background check
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Family Services? Visit here for your next steps.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project
Non-profit
51 Vassar Farm Lane Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
15-20 team members
Issue Areas:
Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Public Health, Racial Justice
About:
The mission of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project is to cultivate local leadership in sustainable farming, food access and education, and to foster an inclusive, welcoming community for everyone. Our Vision is a community that works collaboratively to provide equitable access to nutritious food via a just and resilient food system.
Expected Responsibilities/Duties:
- We have 3 positions available in education, farm production and administrative support (focus on communications)
Project or Position Title: Garden Education Assistant
Supervisor: Education Director
Position Description:
The main projects students will assist with are facilitating farm visits and other
garden-based education sessions. This may include gardening and culinary workshops
for students and the broader community, garden maintenance, supporting emergency
food distribution efforts, our seed saving program, and other special events. Food
Justice is a key value of our organization and our education department strives to keep
it at the center of our work with children and families.
Desired Skills:
● Interest in organic gardening, farming and food justice, including social, racial and
language justice work
● Experience or strong interest working with youth
● Ability and willingness to do physical work outside in variety of weather conditions
● Commitment to and willingness to deepen understanding of PFP’s mission and values of
equity, mutual respect and collaboration;
● Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required. Language justice is a part of
our work at PFP
Project or Position Title: Marketing and Communications Intern
Supervisor: Education Director or Director of Special Initiatives
Position Description:The Marketing and Communications Intern will work to assist
with all aspects of PFP’s communications. Responsibilities include: updating our
website, creating content for newsletters and social media, contributing to the creation
and design of marketing materials, and supporting our staff team with fundraising and
development communications and events.
Desired Skills:
● Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite needed; some experience
with Square Space and MailChimp preferred;
● Graphic Design skills required; skills in Adobe Creative Suite or Canva preferred;
● Familiarity with Facebook, Instagram and other social media; Experience using
social media on for an organization or business a plus;
● Capable of communicating effectively both orally and in writing;
● Interest in organic gardening, farming and food justice, including social, racial and
language justice work;
● Commitment to and willingness to deepen understanding of PFP’s mission and values of
equity, mutual respect and collaboration;
● Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required. Language justice is a part of
our work at PFP.
Hours: 4 hours per week, during normal business hours – M-F, 9am – 5pm. Preferably
available in the afternoons.
Project or Position Title: Seed Library Manager
Supervisor: Education Director
Position Description:
The student will be in charge of general maintenance of the seed library located near
the community gardens at PFP. Maintenance includes but is not limited to: updated
inventory of available seeds, adding seeds when stock is low, communicating with PFP
and any other organizations about seed donations, keeping seed packets organized,
helping the education team organize and run any seed/seed saving related workshops,
seed garden upkeep, actively participate in community garden events such as volunteer
days, and be available for communication with community members who are interested
in the seed library.
Desired Skills:
● Interest in seed saving, community building, organic gardening, farming and food
justice, including social, racial and language justice work
● Ability and willingness to do physical work outside in a variety of weather
conditions.
● Commitment to and willingness to deepen understanding of PFP’s mission and values of
equity, mutual respect and collaboration;
● Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required. Language justice is a part of
our work at PFP.
Hours: 4 hours per week, during normal business hours – M-F, 9am – 5pm. Preferably
available in the afternoons.
Project or Position Title: Farm Production Intern
Supervisor: Workshare Coordinator
Position Description: The student will be in a supportive role of the Poughkeepsie
Farm Project farm crew. This position includes contributing to all aspects of farm
production including but not limited to harvesting, seeding, weeding, sowing, thinning
crops, support with CSA customer relations and food distribution efforts, assisting with
volunteers and workshare members, clean up and maintenance of all tools and spaces,
and meetings with farm crew members as necessary.
Desired Skills:
● Interest in the inner workings of a full-year round production farm with a social
justice mission and ties to community partners.
● Interest in seed saving, community building, organic gardening, farming and food
justice, including social, racial and language justice work
● Ability and willingness to do physical work outside in a variety of weather
conditions. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
● Commitment to and willingness to deepen understanding of PFP’s mission and values of
equity, mutual respect and collaboration;
● Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required. Language justice is a part of
our work at PFP.
Hours: 4 hours per week, during normal business hours – M-F, 8am – 4pm.
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the PFP? Visit here for your next steps.