Social Work Interns: Shared Learning, Lasting Impact
Social work interns connect classroom learning with real-world practice while providing their fresh perspectives, curiosity, and enthusiasm to their host organizations. This year, Council for the Homeless had the previlege of working alongside two students who chose to deepen their education through hands-on experience in the field of homelessness services.
During the 2025-2026 academic year, we welcomed social work interns Alex Bettini, a graduate student, and Juliana Glass, an undergraduate student, from Portland State University. Working closely with Special Projects Manager Maya Hendin, both students supported agency initiatives while gaining a deeper understanding of homelessness, housing programs, and person-centered services.
“Alex and Juliana have been wonderful social work interns,” said Maya. “It has been a pleasure to learn from and alongside them. Interns are incredibly valuable because we’re helping prepare future social workers for the field while continuing to learn from their experiences.”
As Juliana celebrates her graduation this month, and Alex continues her graduate studies, both reflect on the experiences and lessons that shaped their internships.
Building Skills for the Future
For Alex, her professional interests have evolved over time, yet one goal has remained consistent: helping people navigate barriers to accessing support and services.
“I aspire to work in settings that support individuals experiencing complex mental health and social needs,” she said. “I’m especially drawn to identifying barriers and improving access to services.”
Alex graduates in spring 2027 and will complete a clinical internship in the intensive care unit at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center during the coming academic year.
Juliana, who graduates with her Bachelor of Social Work on June 13, entered her social work internship with a longstanding interest in crisis intervention.
“Throughout my internship, I have gained hands-on experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, which has helped me connect classroom concepts with real-life situations,” she said.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Both social work interns described their internship as an opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Alex developed a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers people experiencing homelessness often face, and strengthened her ability to assess individual needs with compassion and respect. Juliana expanded her communication and active listening skills while gaining practical experience with trauma-informed care and advocacy.
One of Alex’s most significant contributions came near the completion of her social work internship when she shared her growing expertise with staff. She led a presentation focused on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness who are also navigating mental health conditions, including social anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. She also created a practical tip sheet that staff can continue using as a resource.
For Special Project Manager, Maya, these experiences are an important part of preparing future social workers.
“Having been a social work intern at Council for the Homeless myself, I know how impactful these opportunities can be,” she said. “My hope is that interns gain a deeper understanding of homelessness from a systemic perspective, and learn tools to engage with community members in a person-centered way.”
Lessons That Last
When reflecting on their biggest takeaways, both students highlighted lessons that will extend far beyond their internships.
For Alex, one of the most important lessons was recognizing the value of autonomy and collaboration.
“My biggest takeaway has been the importance of allowing people to maintain their autonomy and make their own decisions regarding services and housing,” she said.
She also noted how teamwork across departments can strengthen outcomes for clients.
Juliana reflected on the importance of meeting people where they are and allowing clients to guide their own journeys.
“When you’re first starting in the field, you feel a pull to fix and solve everything,” she said. “I’ve learned that it’s important to let the client lead first.”
She also gained a deeper understanding of trauma and the importance of challenging misconceptions about homelessness. Since beginning her internship, she has often found herself educating family and friends when stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness arise.
A Lasting Impact
While our social work internships are designed to support student learning, they also leave a lasting impact on our organization as we work together to move our mission forward. Throughout the year, Alex and Juliana brought compassion, professionalism, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to serving others.
As Juliana begins the next chapter following graduation and Alex continues toward earning her master’s degree, Council for the Homeless is grateful for the time, talent, and dedication they shared with our staff, participants, and community. We are proud to have been part of their educational journeys and look forward to seeing the many ways they will contribute to the social work profession and the communities they serve.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Although our agency will not be accepting any new social work interns for the 2026-2027 academic year, there are still many ways to get involved and support our mission to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County.
On October 15, we will host our annual fundraising event, Gathering for Change, and will need dozens of volunteers to help make the evening a success. A few months later, we will hold Project Homeless Connect, our largest community service event of the year. This event brings together dozens of service providers under one roof to connect hundreds of neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability with critical resources and support.
Both events offer meaningful volunteer opportunities and are a great way to make a difference in our community. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Development Associate Autumn Connolly at aconnolly@councilforthehomeless.org.
