RISE Housing and Support Services offers an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in social work, social science, human services, or psychology. The internship program offers students clinical and administrative rotations for a macro and micro view of the philosophies of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and person-centered planning.
“What I like most about RISE is its commitment to the community and to the individuals they serve.”
Armin Ohadi, a Social Work Major and Statistics Minor at Skidmore College, did his junior year intern field work at RISE. During the fall semester, Armin interned at the Adelphi Street Shelter and in the spring semester, he worked as the Development and Data Intern.
“Overall, interning at RISE was an amazing experience. It has been a pleasure working alongside so many incredible professionals on a variety of projects. I received a very well-rounded, immersive internship at RISE,” Armin shares.
“What I like most about RISE is its commitment to the community and to the individuals the agency serves. In class we talk about best practices such as using a strengths-based approach and trauma informed care, so it has been great to experience these practices being implemented firsthand.”
“I gained a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding being unhoused.”
Armin began his internship at the Adelphi Street Shelter by undertaking daily tasks, including organizing, cleaning, and serving food as well as working on projects such as researching information and systemizing relief staff schedules. Then, once he was comfortable being around the shelter guests, he began interacting with them on an individual basis. “The shelter was an entirely new type of setting for me,” Armin shares. “I was nervous and had my guard up, but once I was comfortable, I particularly enjoyed engaging the guests in meaningful conversations. I found assisting them to navigate complex social systems remarkably interesting and rewarding. I was given the opportunity to help the guests in a myriad of ways such as completing applications for government assistance programs, obtaining health insurance, and preparing for appointments at the Social Security Administration.”
“My experience at the Adelphi Street Shelter taught me that my initial nervousness was because of my socialization by media and movies that often portray the unhoused population negatively,” Armin shares. “However, I quickly realized that the residents of the shelter are incredibly resilient people. They are kindhearted and appreciative of the support that they receive. Through my conversations with them, I gained a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding their individual situations.”
“I developed a true understanding of how data can influence direct practice.”
As the Development and Data Intern during his spring term, Armin gained an overview of the agency as a whole and discovered how data helps to demonstrate the efficacy of these programs. During the semester, Armin visited several of the agency’s programs, enabling him to develop an understanding of the numerous services RISE provides. “This helped me to develop a true understanding of how data can influence direct practice and ultimately improve outcomes for the populations RISE serves,” Armin explains. “As a social work major also minoring in statistics, I was able to assist in transforming raw data into clear tables and graphs that created a picture of a program’s efficacy, I grew even more appreciative of how data is especially useful in social work. I also got to see how important data is in the nonprofit world when trying to obtain funding as it shows potential funders the progress individuals make in their lives while in RISE programs. It definitely was a very enriching experience.”
“My interest in social work developed early in life.”
Armin’s interest in social work developed early in life. “Growing up we had family friends who were social workers,” Armin explains. “They were always the most interesting people in the room. I always felt connected to them and I loved having conversations with them. Additionally, starting in middle school, I witnessed first-hand the complexity of obtaining and navigating the workers’ compensation system. I very quickly realized that many of the systems that we have in this country do not always serve people in the best ways. Seeing those I love jump so many hurdles to receive the proper care they deserve was upsetting.”
Armin’s interest in social work was further developed in high school while doing his senior project. “I did an internship at a nonprofit organization called the Greenwich Alliance for Education, which has many different programs which close the opportunity gap for students at my local public school district. One of these programs is Tuning In To Music which provides free music lessons to students who can’t afford them. As a kid starting violin, I found that several students in my class were far ahead of me in their skills because they had private tutors outside of school. Tutors that my family could not afford. But through Tuning In To Music, I was able to receive the extra help I needed. So, when I did my senior project, I wanted to give back and help this organization.”
“It was during the peak of COVID that I did my internship, and they were trying to figure out a way to host their annual Turkey Trot fundraiser since they were not able to have it in person that year. I had an idea of how they can do it virtually, so I researched and wrote a report on how they could develop an online platform, allowing people to do the trot individually and still raise funds for the organization. Their board was so impressed with my work that they implemented the plan. It was a lot of work but worth it because it was very successful, and the event raised a lot of money for their programs.”
While at school, Armin unwinds by reading, socializing with his friends, and playing the violin. “I’ve been part of the Skidmore String Ensemble for the three years that I’ve been here. We rehearse once a week and I take violin lessons with the same instructor. It’s been a great creative outlet which culminates with the end of the semester performance.”
In between school terms, Armin returns home to Connecticut where he spends time with his family. “I enjoy my time with my family during the summer breaks, but this year I will be busy writing my graduate school applications. I hope to get accepted into a clinical social work master’s program.”