Interns
Samaritan Ministries offers internships in casework, communications, development, and a combination of communications and development.
Communications and development internships are volunteer positions that provide an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Dianne Lewis at dlewis@samaritanministry.org.
For more information on our internship programs, email Dianne Lewis at dlewis@samaritanministry.org.
Read about this year's interns, in their own words.
Development Intern, Ralph Paschwicz
Communications Intern, Susan Prentice
Casework interns:
Ben Sloan
Lauren Wasilchak
Sarah Frazell
Left to right, Casework interns Ben Sloan, Lauren Wasilchak and Sarah Frazell
Ben Sloan - Southeast Office Casework Intern
How did you get involved with Samaritan Ministry?
I am doing a year of service through Discipleship Year. I found Samaritan Ministry through their Web site and they seemed like a good fit.
Why do you feel you should be working with people who are homeless and/or struggling?
It’s easy to see how economic systems can exploit people and oppression can affect everyone. It is important to see that our liberation is tied up with others.
What has motivated you to participate in a life of service?
I feel called to the ministry, but I did not want to go right from college to working with a church. I wanted to experience some things I would be talking about later in my life.
What is a typical day for you as a caseworker?
Mornings are pretty predictable; I help open up the office and from 9am-1pm meet with participants working on setting next steps and listening to their stories. Every afternoon is different and might include, staff meeting, outreach visits, catching up on work, or a variety of different small projects.
What do you like best and what have you found challenging?
I enjoy getting experience working on an individual level, but also getting the larger picture of what is going on and what people are up against. I have found the adjustment from college to office life challenging. It’s not bad, just different.
Can you describe a favorite moment so far?
Any time a participant leaves the office, knowing that Samaritan Ministry has been helpful to them is special.
What have you learned through this internship?
I have enjoyed learning how nonprofits in D.C. work. It has also been great learning how to relate to and work with those who are homeless.
What is your next step upon completion of this internship?
Right now, I am working on my application for seminary.
Lauren Wasilchak – Northwest Office Casework Intern
How did you get involved with Samaritan Ministry?
I am doing a year of service through Jesuit volunteer corps. They gave me a placement based on my skills and interest. I interviewed with Samaritan Ministry and it was a good fit.
Why do you feel you should be working with people who are homeless and/or struggling?
The homeless population is often overlooked and there are not enough people who care. People who are homeless can be invisible in big cities like D.C.
What has motivated you to participate in a life of service?
I have been doing volunteer work since high school. JVC was always something I wanted to do. This service opportunity has inspired me to get my masters in casework, essentially doing service for the rest of my life.
What is a typical day for you as a caseworker?
There is no typical day. I see new and interesting things every day and try to help as many people as I possibly can.
What do you like best and what have you found challenging?
Both staff and participants are some of the best people I’ve met. It is a joy to wake up and come to work. It has been challenging though to figure out how systems in D.C. work and the best possible way to help people.
Can you describe a favorite moment so far?
When one of new participants came in, she seemed sad and depressed. I gave her an application to get her non-driver's I.D. When she can back, she was so excited that she had this I.D. and could start applying for jobs. The change in her attitude was just so dramatic.
What have you learned through this internship?
Many of the stereotypes I’ve had about people have changed. I once thought working with ex offenders would be scary or that they would be difficult to work with, but they are some of the nicest people I’ve worked with. People are basically good and are just trying to get themselves back on track.
What is your next step upon completion of this internship?
I would like to go to graduate school to get my masters degree in social work.
Sarah Frazell – Northern Virginia Office Casework Intern
How did you get involved with Samaritan Ministry?
I am volunteering for a year in the Lutheran volunteer corp. I went through the interview process with three organizations and Samaritan Ministry looked like a good organization so I decided to work with them.
Why do you feel you should be working with people who are homeless and/or struggling?
There are so many factors going into the reasons people are homeless, it is important to attack it at all angles and connect people to the resources that are available to them.
What has motivated you to participate in a life of service?
It fit in really well with my social work degree and I wanted the opportunity to try different kinds of social work including working with people who have low incomes . I come from a privileged background and through service I get to see what I wouldn’t otherwise see in daily life.
What is a typical day for you as a caseworker?
I get to the office around 8:45 am and participants come in between 9am-1pm. After new participants fill out paper work, I meet with them to see what their needs are. Returning participants check in and I see how they’re doing and make referrals when needed. The afternoons include computer mentoring, updating the database, going to meetings, and visiting other social service agencies, among other things.
What do you like best and what have you found challenging?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to be a listening ear, teaching computer mentoring, and the variety this job provides.
Can you describe a favorite moment so far?
I was working with someone who had never gone anywhere for help before she came to Samaritan Ministry. She shared some personal information, and I was able to refer her to places that could help her. It was great to have her feel comfortable enough to open up and share with me.
What have you learned through this internship?
I have had my eyes opened to how hard it really is once you become unemployed. This job has also put a face on unemployment for me, what it looks like and what a long process it is to get back on your feet.
What is your next step upon completion of this internship?
I am looking at graduate school to get a masters degree in social work, focusing on mental health and substance abuse.
