Internships & Work-Study

Internships

We work with area universities and colleges to provide internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate level students. Typically, interns divide their time between our hotline and one other program area –at our shelter or in our school-based program, for instance. Since it’s mandatory that all interns complete our 40-hour hotline training, it’s best to contact us and schedule that training the semester before the actual internship begins. We suggest undergraduate students intern with us during their junior year.

Interested? Please fill out the form below.

Work-study

We also have work-study opportunities available through the University of Maine system and Husson University. Work-study students usually help out as hotline workers or kid workers and, like our interns, must first complete the mandatory 40-hour hotline training.

If you’re interested – even if you’re a student at a local college or university other than UMaine or Husson – please fill out the form below.

Here’s some information about these positions…

Hotline Worker

As a hotline worker, you’ll provide our core service – answering calls that come in to our 24-hour crisis hotline. No matter when someone calls, a hotline worker is there, ready to listen and to offer support and information about domestic abuse, safety planning, and our other services.

Although it’s not easy, answering the hotline is one of the most rewarding jobs at Spruce Run. You are often the first contact someone affected by abuse has with our organization – and often the first voice someone hears as he or she reaches out for help.

To provide hotline workers with the support, information, and practice they need, we require new workers to complete a mandatory training – about 40 hours over six weeks. Staff provide assistance when you feel you need help, and we hold periodic informative gatherings. We hope you’ll consider becoming a hotline worker – and a safe voice for someone in need.

Kid Worker

Kid workers provide supportive, age-appropriate activities for children whose mothers use our services. During the week, we run various kids’ groups –a homework support group and a pre-school group for children in our transitional housing program as well as a children’s group that meets while moms attend their own weekly support group. Kid workers supervise and play with the children, but that’s not all. They also mentor kids who are going through a hard time and who need positive role models. We encourage men and women to become kid workers. Training on an as-needed basis– and we hope you’ll think about joining the team!

Internship & work study request form