Tender Mercies, Inc
Site Description
Tender Mercies, Inc is dedicated to providing housing and related services to homeless persons with histories of emotional
and/or mental disabilities. Tender Mercies serves a racially diverse group of adult men and women suffering from a range of
mental health disorders with the majority affected with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Founded in 1985, the organization
maintains affordable permanent and transitional housing which provides residents to live independently as an integral part of
a community. Tender Mercies has grown into a small community consisting of six buildings that 150 mentally ill call home.
Additionally, Tender Mercies works to provide support for their residents through substance abuse meetings, procure benefits
for its residents, offer social and recreational activities, and serve as an advocate for any additional needs. The UHP
intern provides basic support for the organization, while reinforcing their understanding of mental health issues through
extensive interaction with the residents. Additionally, the intern works on a number of programs designed to specifically
address their needs.
Job Description
The intern will...
- • Understand the issues affecting persons homeless with histories of mental illness.
- • Become aware of community service agencies assisting such populations.
- • Gain knowledge of mental illnesses and their diagnoses.
- • Learn first hand what residents need to improve their overall health.
- • Spend the first two weeks assessing the needs, wants, concerns, interest of residents, and community
resources available and designing a fitness/health program that will improve the overall health of participating residents.
- • Design, plan, and implement programs tailored to the specific needs of persons with histories of mental
illness with use of a community asset based model.
- • Assist in other duties as needed, including but not limited to direct surveying, research, program planning,
group/activity facilitation, record keeping and evaluation.
- • Facilitate the necessary activities to meet the residency goals.
- • Work normal working hours.
Intern Experience Summary
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