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this job's deadline has passed
This job expired on January 17, 2020

Farm for People with Special Needs High Spirit Community Farm

  • Date Posted November 18, 2019
  • Location Great Barrington, MA
  • Category Agriculture / Nonprofit
  • Job type Full-Time
Company description High Spirit Community Farm is a non-profit organization that provides residential and farming opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in Great Barrington, MA. We own and operate two residential homes on a five acre farm where we use environmentally sustainable practices to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, chickens, fruit, pigs, and goats. Currently we are a community of two homes, five people with special needs, live-in staff, volunteers and house and farm managers. This year we will be adding a third home to the community and two or three new residents with special needs will be moving in.

We believe that people of all abilities deserve to live fulfilling lives and to work toward reaching their highest potential. We also believe that farming has therapeutic value and that all people can contribute to the local food movement. Our friends with intellectual disabilities participate in all aspects of our farm program from transplanting lettuce to rotationally grazing Kunekune pigs to making sauerkraut. Internship description

The intern will split their days working with two of our residents, helping them successfully navigate their daily routines and pursue their interests in the community. Our residents have a wide range of interests including farming, horseback riding, art classes, and socializing in town. Our residents also require assistance with daily care such as brushing teeth, dressing, showering, and medication administration. The right person for this job should demonstrate the sensitivity, kindness, and openness that this requires. 

Our residents love to connect and form friendships with their care providers. They generally enjoy spending time with people who are energetic, positive, and confident. Each day can be challenging for them, and, if they know they are with someone who will help them overcome these challenges with a smile and a supportive attitude, it helps them to face these challenges with an optimistic perspective. 

As a residential farm program, our days are a mix of activities. It is essential that the home is clean and we all share in those cleaning duties. During our morning farm program, interns will assist participants in performing the farm work to the best of their abilities. In the afternoons the residents pursue personal interests and other therapeutic activities, whether it’s swimming at the local gym, going shopping, hiking, socializing with friends, or helping out local businesses. Our interns will drive them to their afternoon activities and assist them throughout these activities. 

We truly live as a community, sharing meals with one another and working side by side on the farm and in the home. We have developed the feel of a family in each individual home, and when the two homes come together to work on the farm or eat a meal, one can sense the tight knit support network that this community provides for our residents. It is an incredibly fulfilling lifestyle, but it does require positivity, empathy, and a sense of humor to make it work! If you love working with people and food, this could be the place for you. 

Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation
Details: Interns will receive $1,000/month as well as room and board and basic personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc. On free days our interns are able to use the High Spirit cars if they are not all being used by the program. This intern gets 6 weeks of vacation over the year. But there is the option of working through some vacations and earning more income if desired. Application instructions
This job expired on January 17, 2020
DeadlineJanuary 15, 2020

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