Riverside Industries, Inc. (Day Services)

One Cottage St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-2711
www.rsi.org

Populations served: 

Adults with intellectual disability. 

Location(s) of internship sites:

 One Cottage St., Easthampton

Accessible by Public Transportation?

Yes (but it takes a long time from Amherst because of a need for transfer in Northampton)

General job description of what an intern might do):

Riverside’s many programs offer a variety of community based day services including a Montessori-based Job Skills Training Program, a therapeutic art program, Riverside Arts and Day Habilitation and Life Enrichment Programs.

Riverside also offers employment opportunities at enclave sites, Riverside Gardens, Riverside Lawn care, Riverside Cleaning Crew, and Liberty Street Packaging.

The Montessori-based Job Skills Training internship focuses on the use of authentic Montessori materials and custom Montessori-based materials to teach adults with developmental disabilities a variety of job skills. A certified Montessori trainer, Heather McLean, M.Ed. will work with interns demonstrating the proper use of the materials as well as task analysis and taking consistent data. Staff will be working with the interns as well, modeling teaching methods and best practices while working directly with participants. Social skills will also be developed using role playing, mindfulness techniques and other best practices.  Interns hours may vary but will take place between 9:30 and 3:00, Monday through Friday.

The Day Habilitation internship focuses on the use of ABA skills to help an individual increase a skill or skill set.

•   Work with agency staff to develop interventions that increase a skill or skill set
•   Assist support staff in the implementation of interventions.
•   Learn to summarize data and report on the success of the interventions.

Your availability:

Riverside is a day program that largely operates during work hours. Some of the vocational programs are on the UM campus or at Amherst College. The workshop and many services are at their Easthampton location. Call the contact person below to see if your availability matches when they are able to accept interns. You will probably need a car if the available option is at the Easthampton site.

Agency Contact

All programs:

Nisa Zalta, Volunteer/Intern Coordinator
(413) 527-2711

Montessori Jobs Skills Program:

Heather McLean, Montessori Specialist
HeatherMcLean22@gmail.com
(413) 527-2711