Archives for October 2016

October 31, 2016, Filed Under: Internship

the Q Austin

About Q Austin

The Q is dedicated to building a safe, affirming, and healthy community that empowers young LGBTQ communities in Austin.

The Q envisions a network of collaborators and partners promoting solidarity, well-being, and the awesomeness of Austin’s queer communities.

An Mpowerment Project of AIDS Services of Austin that can make a difference in the lives of young gay, bisexual, and questioning men ages 18 – 29 by mobilizing these men to shape a healthy community for themselves, build positive social connections, and support their friends to have safer sex. The Mpowerment Project can reach large numbers of young gay/bisexual men in a cost effective manner because it is a community level intervention.

Within The Q Austin space, community partners help create a safe space for Austin’s LGBTQIA communities of ALL AGES by organizing events and outreach to support the Q’s vision. Through this support, the message of safer sex practices and well-being can reach a larger audience while raising awareness for the Q and its mission.

Join the Q Austin

“Q” program volunteers, led by a staff member, undertake themed outreach activities to promote safer sex and to recruit and promote The Q Austin’s events and activities. Peer outreach may consist of team interventions targeting groups of young men accessing settings frequented by young gay and bisexual men to promote safer sex. This includes “bar zaps” at local bars and interventions at community events such as Austin Pride Festival, Queerbomb! and University of Texas Pride Week. Peers who conduct outreach also play a critical role in recruiting MSM for HIV testing and Core Group registration. Through collaboration with the Testing and Linkage to Care program, volunteers are able to reduce barriers for MSM in community venues who wish to know their HIV status.

One or More Ways You’d Like to Help:

Bar Zaps – Team up with peers to distribute safer sex kits and info to the MSM communities in area bars and businesses.
Special Events – Engage the community at special events with unique activities while providing information about the Q and our core programs.
Peer Facilitator – Meet with Q Coordinators to learn how you can become a peer facilitator and lead some of our Mpowerment Discussion Groups.
Core Group – These Young men meet monthly to design and carry out project activities. This is a strategic advisory group of MSM peers ages 18-29 who collaborate with staff in order to develop program events and establish leadership roles.
Other – At the Q there is plenty of fun to be had. Tell us some of your ideas.

Apply:

http://www.theqaustin.org/Home/JoinQCrew

October 31, 2016, Filed Under: Internship

OUTYouth Volunteer Opportunity

Founded in 1990, Out Youth has grown and changed over the years, but we’ve always retained our most important facet – providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to come together, receive support, and make friends who understand who they are.

We host a variety of programs and services for youth, and provide trainings and resources for parents, teachers and community members.

OVERVIEW

Out Youth relies on the commitment and passion of its volunteers to further its work supporting youth, young adults, and their families.

Information about becoming an individual volunteer can be found below.

If you are interested in an Internship or Practicum placement, please contact us at hello@outyouth.org or 512-419-1233.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PLACEMENT AVAILABILITY

Because of the extraordinary generosity of our community and interest in volunteering at Out Youth, please be aware that our volunteer process is highly competitive, especially for placements in youth-facing positions such as the Drop-in Center.

TYPES OF VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

There are many ways for individuals to volunteer at Out Youth.

General Needs

Clerical assistance
General maintenance and upkeep
Outreach and representation at community events and third-party fundraisers
Serving on event-planning committees
Peer-to-peer fundraisers
Pro bono services (legal, graphic design, technical, marketing, etc.)

Special Events

Youth Prom
Second Chance Adult Prom
Glitz
Hill Country Ride for AIDS Riders and Pitstop Crew
AIDS Walk Team Members
Austin Marathon Austin Gives Miles Runners and Pitstop Crew

Clinical Services

Drop-in Mental Health Advocates
Graduate Student Interns (Social Work and Counseling)
Clinical Services Associates (LPC-Interns)

For more information about opportunities in Clinical Services, including practicum placement, click here

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS

We do not currently have the capacity to accommodate those needing:

Student organization-required community service hours
Class-required community service hours
Court-mandated community service hours

If you are in need of community service hours, please contact us at hello@outyouth.org or 512-419-1233 and we will direct you to partner agencies that may be able to place you.

THE PROCESS

Everyone’s process to becoming a volunteer at Out Youth will look different, but will share these two very important first steps:

Create a Volunteer Profile
Attend an Open House

Creating a Volunteer Profile will provide us with the information we need to match you with current or future volunteer opportunities.

Our Open Houses are a time for all members of the community to visit Out Youth, get a tour of the space, learn about our history, and meet our youth, volunteers, interns, staff members, and board members. It is important to understand that the Open House is not an orientation. Instead, it is intended to give you the chance to determine if our culture, mission, and vision are a good fit for you before continuing the process to become a volunteer.

Open Houses are usually held on the second Sunday of every month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Out Youth (909 E. 49 1/2 St., Austin, TX 78751). Holidays and community events may disrupt this schedule, so it is best to check our Calendar for upcoming closures.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements will vary depending on placement, but in general, volunteers are required to:

Be 18 years of age or older
Complete an interview with a staff member
Complete a background check
Complete an orientation and required trainings

Due to the sensitive nature of working with youth and young adults, those wanting to volunteer in the Drop-in Center are required to:

Be 25 years of age or older
Have a minimum of one year experience working with teenage youth (i.e. teacher, counselor, mentor, youth ministry, youth programming or services, etc.)
Complete an interview with a staff member
Complete a background check
Complete an orientation and required trainings