*The Human Services Internship (Chapter 2) Wilbert Roberson, Jr.

Wilmington University The Human Services Internship: Getting the most from your experience. Getting Acquainted What particular elements of agency context (environment, framework, perspective) have you learned most through your internship? I have gained additional knowledge and truly believe in the right of all people to live without fear, abuse, oppression and violence. We should all be accountable to our communities, to battered and formally battered women and their children. As a community we should demand the need to change societal attitudes that encourage abuse of power to control others and we should all be committed to this struggle. How would you describe your agencys context? The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) is a state-wide, non-profit organization of domestic violence agencies and individuals that support the DCADV mission. The DCADV and its member organizations strive to create an environment in which those victimized by domestic violence become empowered. The DCADV also seeks to eliminate the institutional and personal abuse of power that creates the conditions under which domestic violence is condoned. Consider the organizations community, state, and national context as well as its social policy context including, socialcultural, legal, and political issues. How has your view of agencies and their contexts changed since the beginning of your internship? The spirit of cooperation among profit, non-profit and community programs are necessary to change societal attitudes. We should all be committed to maintaining a supportive non-competitive atmosphere in all aspects of our diverse programs, so open communication, respect, and cooperation will be encouraged among all agencies.

References Kiser, P. (2012). The Human Services Internship: Getting the most from your experience. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.