Bar None Residential Treatment Services
Internship Fact Sheet
Building Hope for Youth and Families
For more information please call: 763-753-2500
22426 St. Francis Boulevard, Anoka, MN 55303
Internship Fact Sheet —Residential Counselor Position
Bar None is a residential facility 45 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area that provides a continuum of treatment,
evaluation and stabilization services for male youth ages 12–18 with emotional and behavioral problems.
We assist our residents in gaining the skills necessary to improve their quality of life, the lives of those around them and to
succeed as adults.
Bar None Residential Treatment Services has been in existence as a branch of Volunteers of America–Minnesota since 1954.
Located on 700 acres of wooded land 15 miles north of Anoka, Minnesota, Bar None is dedicated to building hope for youth and
families through serving a wide array of at-risk youth populations.
Experiences provided as an intern with Bar None include:

Working with the proven professionals of a prominent organization in the field of at-risk youth

Witnessing the practice of values and ethics within real life scenarios

Experiencing the first-hand impact of working with residents as “whole” individuals, taking into account their strengths,
issues of diversity, barriers to success and other contributing factors.

Identifying and practicing the skills needed to work successfully with residents, beginning with engagement through termination.
Requirements for an internship include:

Completing an Application

Completing and passing a Criminal Background Check

Basic Interview regarding internship needs and intentions
Training Opportunities once accepted include:

Orientation training (included in internship hours) to familiarize interns with the mission of the organization and assigned unit

Additional training is tailored to the length and nature of internship desired
Internship Benefits include:

Paid intern hours possible, based on intern performance and needs of organization

Flexible scheduling

Diverse populations served at Bar None allow for exposure to wide variety of at-risk youth real life scenarios

All meals are provided while at the organization

Options for full-time or on-call employment after completion of internship
1
FAQs
Q: What do interns “do” while working at Bar None?
A: You will have a variety of experiences while completing your internship at Bar None that will allow you to utilize the knowledge, skills, ethics and values learned in the classroom. To do so, you will interact directly with the residents on various levels.
In addition to spending time getting to know the residents and their stories through relaxed social activities (board games,
basketball, etc.), you will also be part of more in-depth program work. This includes, but is not limited to, attending and possibly
facilitating group sessions, applying the behavior management program applicable to each resident, data collection, participating in team meetings with other organization employees to discuss resident needs/dynamics, having contact with resident
family/case workers, etc.
Q: Can I be paid for my internship hours?
A: Yes, that is a possibility. All internships start out as un-paid hours. However, based on your demonstrated abilities and the hiring
needs of the organization at the time, it is possible for you to be hired “on-call” while completing some of your internship hours.
Q: Will this lead to a job when my internship is over?
A: Quite possibly. Bar None has been successfully providing internships for many years. During this time, many interns have
later become employed full-time at Bar None and have sustained long and successful careers with us.
Q: What do you offer that other facilities don’t?
A: Bar None is a diverse organization that works with many populations of at-risk youth who are placed out of the home for a
variety of reasons. Although you will typically be assigned to one unit on which to complete your internship hours, you will have
exposure to the various other programs and participants that we serve, thus deepening your internship experience. We also
employ various Mental Health professionals on-site that are available for questions or consultation, etc. based on the needs of
your particular internship.
Internships Have Real World Application at Bar None
Many students studying Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and other related Social Service courses need field experience
to complete their required course work for graduation. Bar None Residential Treatment Services has been networked with many
colleges, universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges offering enriching internship opportunities for about the last 15 years.
Interns at Bar None are brought into the organization, immediately becoming a member of one of the teams. As an intern they
are given opportunities to learn from experienced Residential Counselors and to also work directly with the youth being treated.
They are able to develop skills in managing behavior, facilitating groups, enhancing recreational opportunities for youth, and
learning to work as a professional within a team setting. Many employees begin with an internship experience. Danielle Patterson,
currently a Unit Supervisor, and Josh Brown, currently a full-time Residential Counselor, both began their careers with internships.
Danielle initially was seeking employment due to the flexible scheduling available while she completed her degree at St. Cloud
State University. She soon realized that the opportunities available were an excellent fit for her internship requirements and
began intern work until her graduation. Once receiving her BS in
Social Work, she applied for an internal promotion opportunity
and became a Senior Case Manager only to be promoted agian
to the level of Unit Supervisor.
Josh also came to us while pursuing a degree in Social Work from
St. Cloud State University. While Josh was fulfilling his internship
requirements, his Supervisor was very pleased with his level of
professionalism, his work habits and his therapeutic investment
in the program and our youth. At the time of Josh’s graduation, a
full-time Residential Counselor position was offered to him by his Supervisor and he gladly accepted. Josh currently loves his
position and is doing very well with the youth in our care.
The fact that many interns have remained to work with Bar None is not
unusual. Many students completing an internship at Bar None make
the choice to continue with us and seek employment. In many ways the
internship program has been a unique partnership that has benefited
our residents, the organization, and students beginning in the field.
2