All undergraduate students with a minor in gerontology are required to complete a gerontology internship by taking GERO 495 – Internship in Gerontology (link to smart catalog). Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology (link to smart catalog) may take GERO 595 – Graduate Internship in Gerontology (link to smart catalog) as a program elective. Internships are open to all students with an interest in aging or gerontology.
Please see the Central Gerontology Internship Guide for more information on specific internship requirement and expectations.
For more information please contact Dr. Andrea June at 860-832-3105 or ajune@ccsu.edu.
Possible Internship Sites
Arbor Rose at Jerome Home
975 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06052
Donna Valente, Activities Director & Volunteer Coordinator
860.229.3707
Catholic Charities
Joel Cruz, Director of the Institute for the Hispanic Family
860.527.1124 EXT. 244
Program Locations:
Hispanic Senior Center, Institute for the Hispanic Family, Catholic Charities
45 Wadsworth Street, Hartford, CT 06106
South End Wellness Senior Center, Catholic Charities
830 Maple Avenue, Hartford CT 06114
Students would work with staff that oversee the Senior Centers. Students will have an opportunity to interact with seniors to help promote socialization. Assist staff and/or participate of senior center activities [i.e. exercises, arts and craft, games], gain knowledge for how to navigate State and Federal social services for the elder. (Spanish speaking students preferred for the Hispanic Senior Center.)
Center on Aging, UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030
Julie Robison, Ph.D., Professor
860.679.4278
The internship would involve observing research staff conduct telephone and in-person interviews with older adults and people with disabilities, training on survey administration and conducting telephone interviews, data entry, and assisting with other research related tasks as needed.
Connecticut Coalition on Aging (CCOA)
650 Ellsworth Avenue, New Haven, CT
Peaches Quinn, President, CCOA
203.915.3154
The internship experience can be tailored to the interests and academic needs of the student. Options include: (1) Advocacy - Annual Legislative Survey - This a statewide, annual survey of older adult issue preferences. An intern could assist with survey development, data collection, and analysis. (2) Social Media/Communications - CCOA is looking to strengthen its presence on Facebook and other social media apps plus enhance its website. A student intern could assist with design, including Spanish translation of select written material. (3) Education - CCOA's annual Carlson Forum, held each June, offers a unique opportunity for an intern to participate in all aspects of planning and production of a high profile, statewide forum (i.e., topic and location selection, presenter search, event publicity, materials development, evaluation). Please note that some travel will be required (e.g. monthly CCOA Board meetings in Rocky Hill, travel to locations associated with the selected project).
Covenant Living of Cromwell
Covenant Living of Cromwell is the top continuing care retirement choice for senior living in the Cromwell/Hartford, CT area. We offer a warm, inclusive community in which you can create new friendships with like-minded people and get more enjoyment out of life. At Covenant Living of Cromwell, we offer spacious patio homes, single-story cottages, and distinctive studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in our 42-acre campus. Our private assisted living residences will make you feel right at home with the assistance you need to live an active and independent lifestyle. For those who require Skilled Nursing services, Pilgrim Manor at Covenant Living of Cromwell offers far more than care. We endeavor to fulfill the lives of our residents by ensuring that they maintain the highest levels of health for mind, body and spirit. Students can interact with a variety of interesting and dynamic residents throughout the independent living, assisted living, and health care parts of our campus. Spending your time here may involve a variety of activities including but not limited to: variety of games, crafts, socializing, and so much more. Times and day vary and we would love to have you!
Contact Name: Heather Knochel, Director of Resident Services
Contact Email: HKnochel@covliving.org
Contact Phone Number: 860.854.6603
Website
For all Ages
For all Ages creates positive, collaborative experiences between generations to reduce loneliness and isolation. Programs range from having a Tea-Mate to chat with once a week to hosting a “Walk in the Park”. Volunteers play a number of roles including serving on the board of directors and advisory council, performing bookkeeping/accounting work, helping to design and roll out new programs, assisting with current programs/events, and more.
Visit forallages.org/volunteer for more information and current volunteer positions.
Contact: Deb Bibbins, Founder, deb.bibbins@forallages.org
Hebrew Senior Care Senior Day Center
1 Abrahms Blvd, West Hartford, CT 06117
Candice Smith, Director
860.523.3857
Student interns will learn how Senior Day Centers (aka Adult Day Centers) assist our clients to stay in the community as long as possible by providing them with a structured, therapeutic programs, skilled nursing care and personal care as needed. Each client has a person centered plan of care that is developed by the nurse and the recreation therapist. Depending on the students field of interest, they can learn all aspects of Senior Day Centers from the admission process to basic program assistance work to learning how to facilitate a program.
Jerome Home
975 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06052
Jenna Sweet, Life Enrichment Director & Volunteer Coordinator
860.356.8236
The gerontology internship at Jerome Home provides the student with an exposure to long term care and the holistic support services provided. The internship experience will provide the student with group leadership training while also enhancing their basic communication skills with older adults. The intern may also be exposed to other disciplines which support the health and well-being of residents who reside in a long-term care community.
Mulberry Gardens
58 Mulberry Street, Plantsville, CT 06479
Donna Johnson
860.276.1020
New Britain Senior Center
55 Pearl Street, New Britain, CT 06051
Rex Cone, Director
860.826.3553
North Central Area Agency on Aging
151 New Park Ave, Box 75, Hartford, CT 06106
Maureen McIntyre, CEO
860.724.6443 x283
We have several different programs and therefore interns will be assigned to work directly with program staff on specific projects. Past internships have included: working with our Senior Medicare Patrol Coordinator by representing the agency at events and meetings, working with the CEO to develop a listserv of elected officials for legislative outreach, researching issues and writing brief blogs/interest pieces. All interns have the opportunity to shadow staff and attend staff meetings for an immersion in agency life.
Plainville Senior Center
200 East Street, Plainville, CT 06062
Ronda Guberman, Assistant Director or Shawn Cohen, Director
860.747.5728
Student interns are involved with learning all aspects of the Senior Center including: day-to-day operations, administration, social services, working with volunteers, planning and coordinating programs and special events, writing newsletter articles, creating flyers for publicity, assisting with grant reports and statistics, and more based on the time of year and Senior Center schedule. Students become familiar with local, state and federal resources for older adults and gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of senior services.
TOVAH, Inc.
Transforming Housing for Vibrant Affordable Housing
342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117
Kim Pietrorazio, M.S., Executive Director
860.752.9239
Program Locations:
Chase Manor I Apartments, Norwich
Chase Manor II Apartments, Norwich
Federation Square Apartments, West Hartford
Industria Commons & Brytania Square Apartments, New Britain
Ridgefield Housing Authority, Ridgefield
Sigourney Square Apartments, Hartford
We invite you to join our team. This internship experience will provide students with exposure to the field of resident service coordination within elderly and disabled affordable independent living communities. Interns will assist Resident Service Coordinators (RSC) in providing holistic support to residents to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, lease compliance and individual and community life satisfaction. Students will be fully engaged in proactive case management processes, resident engagement activities and in the coordination and facilitation of health and wellness, educational, social and recreational and capacity building programs. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in weekly Team Meetings and RSC training programs.
Town of Newington Senior and Disabled Center
131 Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111
Jaime Trevethan, Director
860-665-8768
jtrevethan@newingtonct.gov
UR Community Cares, Inc.
5 Jamie Lane, Manchester, CT 06042
860-430-4557 (call or text)
Michelle Puzzo, President and Co-founder, Physical Therapist
Flexible and diverse learning opportunities with non-profit start-up that supports community members age 70+ or age 18+ with permanent or temporary physical disabilities via a secure, innovative digital platform. Local volunteers provide home-based services such as housework, yard work, companionship and transportation. Intern can choose focus area(s) such as community education, grant funding / policy research, development of presentations to state and local agencies, social services referral programs, performance tracking and reporting, social media and website content, in addition to virtual or home visits. Work directly with president / co-founder and board advisor. Organization was established in 2019 and is 100% volunteer based. Currently serving 90+ cities and towns in Connecticut. A good fit for passionate and energetic students who want to make a difference in their communities. Internship can include remote, virtual, and/or in person work.
West Hartford Senior Center
15 Starkle Road, West Hartford, CT 06117
Rebecca Sears, Director
860-561-7582
Rebecca.Sears@WestHartfordCT.gov