Live-in Intern

Are you looking for a way to put your social justice values into action?

Are you a 'POSSIBILITARIAN' at heart, and looking for a way to practice peace and justice in Monterey County?

The Companions of the Way Community might be your answer. We are an intentional and inter-faith community in Salinas California; we strive for a simple life as we work to promote social justice in our community in the spirit of Dorothy Day and the vision of St. Francis.

The Companions live and work as volunteers in an intentional community — a small housing complex called the Mercy Center. We receive housing at no charge, as well as a no-cost shared food pantry and a small monthly allowance for unmet living expenses. Our quest is to Imagine Paradise, Practice Beauty; this is not just a means but an end in itself – to live lives of "holy daring", with grace, gentleness, enthusiasm and joy. We are challenged to grow in a passionate commitment to God, one another, and to the world through a sincere practice of meditation and the "Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings." We have a communal commitment to the "Declaration toward a Global Ethic" and to the "Earth Charter", both of which lend themselves to an expansive vision of personal and social possibilities.

Our work includes Dorothy's Kitchen, the Women Alive! shelter, a silk-screening micro-enterprise and an after-school program for farm worker youth, and we are currently seeking new Companions of the Way Community members to staff our Dayroom. The Dayroom at Dorothy's Place offers the homeless residents of Salinas a place to meet basic needs such as laundry, showers and hygiene, as well as a space to take respite from life on the street. Our doors are open 7am-2pm, Monday through Saturday, to all who meet basic expectations for safety and respect. Dayroom Staff show hospitality by meeting our guests where they are at in their life without judgment, engaging them in activities such as volunteer work, conversation and artistic expression, and developing personal connections. Staff 'hold the space' in the dayroom by considering the needs of all who are present, as well as the need for continuity of our routines and programs, and making decisions on a moment-to-moment basis. We have a high volume of guests at Dorothy's Place, and thus a major portion of our work focuses on the practical and personal response to the chaotic nature of homelessness. We also encourage Dayroom Staff to develop their interests and skills in collaboration with our guests for the goal of mutual empowerment and joy.

A central function of a small Chinatown community, Dorothy's Place is in the beginning phases of redevelopment—we are close to kicking off a job training program with housing for guests that apply. This is an exciting period of growth in our organization and we would love to have you join us for the ride.

Essential Qualities: • Interest in learning about and practicing 'Personalism,' a philosophy of relationship-based social change articulated by the Catholic Worker movement. • Strong communication skills, and the interest in developing them further to meet the diverse needs of those we serve. • The ability to be present for others by listening fully and empathically • Desire to confront and reflect on issues of social and economic class and power • Ability to maintain composure during chaotic or stressful situations • Ability to respectfully redirect disrespectful, disruptive or dangerous behavior • Willingness to make decisions in new situations • Enthusiasm to develop one's personal interests and skills in the service of connection, empowerment, expression, and social change!

Essential Tasks: • Coordinating guest volunteers to run the shower and laundry lists • Distribute supplies (i.e. Shampoo, soap, razors, socks, etc.) • Coordinate cleaning at 9:30 am and 2:00 pm • Receive and organize donations • Hand out mail from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday • Attend Community Dinners at the Mercy Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 6:30pm • Attend check-ins at 8:00am on a daily basis, required only on days you work • Attend Mindfulness Trainings on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month • For those who are interested, meditation is held every morning from 7:30 – 8:00 am, it is not required but highly encouraged.

Further Details: • Franciscan Workers have a base commitment of 30 hours a week to Dorothy's Place projects. • Shared community rhythms of meals together twice weekly, meditation and daily check-ins •

Living allowances depend on length of time spent with us:

Immersion Intern: $300 per month for first 4 months, a review is done after 4 months

Companion Intern Co-Worker: $400 per month for next 8 months, with a review at 10 months from start date

Core Community Member: $600 per month afterwards with a review 9 months from yearly review date

Vacation or retreat time is encouraged based on personal need within consideration for the needs of other workers •The Mercy Center is walking distance from Dorothy's Place, and no-cost shared transportation is provided. • Medical insurance is offered after 6 months of working with us. • Salinas, CA has a sunny, temperate climate and is 30 minutes from ocean beaches, the Pinnacles mountains, and the Carmel/Pacific Grove art community. Salinas is also the home of the National Steinbeck Center • Salinas is an agri-based community that is 64% Latino with a large farm worker presence

You can also see our website at www.dorothysplace.org

LIVE OUT YOUR OWN POSSIBILITIES! Special Qualifications: • As many of our guests speak Spanish as a primary language, we encourage Spanish speakers to apply.