Project Category:
Internship, Service (Unpaid)
Seeking:
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
The PAL Family Resource Center provides a welcoming, safe, and nurturing space for over 300 families and caregivers each year. Our mission is to offer support through various services such as parenting classes, socialization opportunities, and access to community resources. We also provide supervised visitation services to help parents regain custody of their children, all within a trauma-informed care environment that is rooted in compassion and empathy.
Role Overview:
This internship/volunteer opportunity is ideal for students pursuing careers in family law, social work, psychology, or related fields. Interns/volunteers will observe the intersection of legal principles and social work in a supportive, community-based setting. They will gain exposure to social workers and other professionals in the field, particularly those working with vulnerable families navigating challenging circumstances.
Responsibilities:
Observe and learn from social workers providing trauma-informed care and supervised visitation services to families in need.
Assist with family support services, including providing information to families, organizing activities, and supporting staff.
Assist with organizing and maintaining resources such as the children鈥檚 clothing closet and helping families connect with local services.
Support program staff in ensuring families feel welcomed and supported in all aspects of their involvement with the PAL Center.
Learning Opportunities:
Pre-Law/Family Law Students: Gain first hand exposure to how legal principles are applied in real-life family dynamics. Observe how family law intersects with social services, particularly in cases involving custody, supervised visitation, and family support.
Social Work/Behavioral Science Students: Learn about trauma-informed care and how social workers address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges families face. Observe how professionals provide support in a family-friendly, non-judgmental setting.
Psychology Students: Gain practical experience in understanding the mental and emotional needs of families, especially in crisis situations. See how psychological concepts are applied in a nurturing, community-based environment.
Public Administration/Nonprofit Management Students: Learn about the operations of a nonprofit, including how community resources are allocated and managed to support diverse families.
Ideal Candidate: We are seeking compassionate, empathetic, and open-minded students who are committed to learning and contributing to a positive, mission-driven environment. Applicants should be eager to observe, ask questions, and learn about how social work and law intersect in helping families in need.
Hours:
10-20 hours per week.
Flexible scheduling, typically requiring availability during business hours (Monday - Friday).
Next Steps: Ready to make a meaningful impact? Contact Kyra Hickey at khickey@binghamton.edu for more details.
Please note: internship and volunteer scopes are described to the best of our knowledge but may shift based on M&B鈥檚 evolving needs and priorities. Interested students should fill out the impactBING CORE interest form (https://forms.gle/K3wMqEwc5kTGnwLu7) as a first step to getting involved.