Pacific School of Religion

About the internship
Our programs include social and support groups, a counseling program, community meals, a food pantry, and more. This placement would work primarily with LGBT Seniors and people living with HIV/AIDS in the Kind Hearts program – working to provide social support, one-on-one spiritual care, home visits, and possibly other forms of support (such as an ongoing spirituality group, presentations within existing support & social groups, spiritual services as part of LGBT Pride activities). The intern may also provide services to families with LGBT children as part of an initiative based on the Family Acceptance Project and research by Dr. Caitlin Ryan. The pastoral intern will also help us strengthen our relationships and collaborations with LGBT-friendly religious communities & organizations in the area. The intern will have a chance to collaborate with MSW interns and counseling (LPC, MFT, and PsyD) interns as part of a cohort, and will be expected to participate in Friday case conferences. Additional training will be provided on cultural competence topics as needed. Supervision is provided weekly by a staff member who has a Master of Divinity (PSR ’09) and Certificate in Sexuality & Religion (PSR ’10) and four units of CPE training (Palo Alto VA Medical Center ’07-’08).

The intern may be able to tailor specific projects to their area of interest, if approved by the Field Mentor.

Requirements for internship

• Ability to work with and respect a variety of spiritual perspectives, including atheism.
• Ability to navigate religious trauma, spiritual alienation, and other concerns facing people who have been marginalized due to sexuality and/or gender.
• Ability to participate in weekly case conferences and trainings with other interns on Fridays during daytime hours.
• Basic awareness of social justice concerns in addition to sexuality & gender, including white privilege, racial justice, and class privilege.
• A car is strongly encouraged for home visits and outreach work. RCC provides mileage reimbursement for internship-related work (but not commute between home & the RCC). If the intern has a car, we are required to file a copy of current insurance.
• Ability to speak basic conversational Spanish is preferred.

About the RCC
Mission Statement: The Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County builds community among LGBTIQ persons and their allies through social opportunities, health and wellness services, and awareness programs.

We envision a society that embraces acceptance, safety and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Rainbow Community Center is the only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Two-Spirit (LGBT) community center in Contra Costa County, and one of the few agencies that explicitly serves LGBT people. Contra Costa County contains a significantly diverse population in terms of class, race/ethnicity, and political point of view. Homophobia and economic distress are significant areas of concern for many, and a feeling of isolation is common. To address this, LGBT people find many ways to organize and support each other formally and informally. The RCC, in existence since 1992, is a product of some of that organizing.

Monthly Stipend: $100
Car Required?:  Strongly encouraged but not required

Address:
2118 Willow Pass Rd. Ste. 500
Concord, CA 94520