" The trainees are not the only ones whose lives are touched by the connection to the seeds and soil. HGP affects the lives of all who pass through it. "
- Rosalie Evans, Former HGP Intern
Available Staff Positions
Please check back for future positions.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer-related and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factor unrelated to job duties.
Internships & Volunteer Openings
Email volunteer@homelessgardenproject.org with internship inquiries.
Details
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990, provides job training, transitional employment and supportive services to people who are experiencing homelessness. In complement, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. HGP's programs take place in a 3.5-acre organic farm and related enterprises. Social Work Volunteers (SWV) work with HGP's Connecting with Community program. SWV work one-on-one with trainees to promote trainees' full participation in our job training and transitional employment programs by addressing needs such as health care, legal issues, transportation, and shelter. With SWV, trainees identify goals that will create and sustain their own well-being. SWV monitor trainee progress toward goals and support meaningful engagement in accomplishing goals. In addition, SWV foster trainee progress toward unsubsidized employment as a key long-term goal related to a career plan.
Duration of position: mid-May through early September
Schedule: 10-12 hours/week; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Thursdays are currently required; social work and staff meetings are held Thursday, 1-2PM
HGP offers Social Work Volunteers a schedule with some flexibility and choice within the structure of our trainees’ weekly work schedule. Meetings with trainees take place during their workday; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-2:00. Social Work Volunteers work with trainees to find the best times to meet. Thursdays are currently required; supervision, social work and staff meetings are held on this day. Meetings take place in person at our 3.5-acre organic farm.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Assessment: work with trainees to identify current needs.
- Service Planning: collaboratively develop a plan focused on supports, activities, and resources required to achieve personal goals.
- Advocacy and Referrals: help educate and connect trainees to available and appropriate resources.
- Counseling & Goal Setting: provide support and structure for relevant goal setting.
Desired Traits & Skills:
- Good listening skills
- Well organized
- Appreciation of diversity & commitment to social justice
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
Orientation & Training:
- Work under supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Training in Motivational Interviewing, service planning and evaluation
Benefits to Volunteer:
- Experience working in nonprofit social service setting
- Familiarity with community resources
- Develop counseling skills
- Gain training in Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychology
To apply: Submit resume to evanj@homelessgardenproject.org
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and
gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and
people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Schedule: 10 hours per week
Salary: This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter.
To apply: Along with your resume, please send us a brief cover letter highlighting why you’re interested in the program. Send your materials to omarg@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship position for which you’re applying in the subject line. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Description
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our 3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking intern who will support our Finance and Accounting program. The Finance and Accounting Intern will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of an organization's financial department, with an emphasis on both accounting and finance tasks. This includes tasks such as preparing financial reports, maintaining accurate financial records, and helping with budgeting and forecasting. The trainee will also assist with audits and tax preparation, as well as providing support to the Business and Finance Manager. Additionally, the intern will be responsible for learning and understanding accounting and finance principles and procedures, and for staying current on changes in accounting and finance regulations. The trainee will also be involved in financial analysis, financial modeling and forecasting, financial planning and strategy. Strong math, analytical, and communication skills are a must for this role.
Responsibilities
- Preparing financial reports.
- Input data on QuickBooks.
- Help with Budget and Cashflow follow-up.
- Assist with audits.
- Help with Tax Preparation.
- Organize Finance and Accounting files.
- Learn and help to improve our policies and procedures.
Qualifications
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines.
- Dependability, flexibility and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Superb communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Interest in sustainable agriculture and social justice.
- Ability to work independently and with others, including staff, volunteers, donors and vendors.
- A demonstrated commitment to HGP’s mission and values.
- Excellent ethical standards and personal integrity.
- Completed or working toward a college degree, preferred.
Intern Will Gain:
- Diverse skills and hands-on experience for a growing nonprofit organization
- Experience supporting Homeless Garden Project Finance and Accounting coordination and communications
- Experience building relationships with a wide range of community members.
- Opportunities to contribute and implement creative insights and feedback regarding to the policies and procedures in the Finance and Accounting HGP Depto.
- Opportunities to interact with professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit sector
Work Schedule/Time Commitment
Commitment: 10 hours per week
Schedule
Location: 30 West Cliff Drive
Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and
gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and
people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Looking for a fun way to spend your weekends while making a difference in your community? Look no further than our volunteer program at HGP!
We're currently searching for outgoing and friendly individuals who are comfortable using a register and can help us cover the store during our Shift Manager's lunch break. As a Customer Service Volunteer, you'll be responsible for greeting customers, answering their questions, assisting at the register, restocking merchandise, and supporting the Shift Manager as needed. You'll also be able to educate customers about HGP, upcoming events, and how they can get involved!
But before you start your volunteer shift, we'll need you to attend one of our orientation training sessions. Don't worry - they're fun and informative! Once you complete your orientation, we'll add you to our online work scheduler, where you can choose the shifts you'd like to work.
Our orientation sessions take place at our store location on 1338 Pacific Avenue. You only need to attend one orientation session to start volunteering!
Join our team and make a difference while having fun! We can't wait to have you on board.
About our Store: Our Store is where we make a significant amount of our yearly income to support our transitional employment and job training program for folks experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Those who are in the training program make over 40 types of products using materials we grow on the farm, including food products, bath and body products, and dried-flower wreaths. Each year we have a network of over 100 volunteers who support the store. The store is, in part, volunteer-run, meaning that the profit we make goes directly toward supporting our programs and folks transitioning out of homelessness.
Location: 1338 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Saturday or Sunday
12 - 2 pm
2 - 4 pm
4 - 6 pm
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Our volunteer program is flexible to allow for varied interests and schedules.
Learn more about our current volunteer needs here or contact us if you'd like more information about our volunteer openings.