Helping to fund student internships
at non-profits

The Viette-Huffman-Pepping Non-profit internship fund
is designed to provide stipends to students pursuing unpaid internships
with non-profit organizations in the Decatur Community.

  • Lorem
  • Ipsum
  • Dolor

Why are these internships important?

"I had originally planned on a career in Clinical Psychology post-graduation from Millikin. However, after my performance learning internship, I knew I needed to go into Social Work. The impact I made on the Decatur community and the professional relationships I gained through the Human Services Internship was the greatest opportunity I could have asked for during my undergraduate career. Take advantage of your internship, and be open to all the opportunities it may bring - even if those opportunities are unfamiliar. Different is not always bad. It can open you up to amazing possibilities you did not know were there!"
- Human Services/Psychology Double Major '20

How is this fund helping these students?

"Before I received the grant, I was working two separate part-time jobs and had felt drained. I was constantly thinking about my living expenses and groceries on top of maintaining my grades... [After] I received the grant, I was able to take some time and really focus my energy into the work I was doing. I felt a shift and saw the difference not only in my attitude, but an increase in my drive and consistency. I was able to relax and refocus to complete the challenges that each day brought."
- First VHP Award Recipient '19

What kind of students are pursuing these internships?

"I think there are two [motivations] that stand out of why people start off in our major. The first is...

I am motivated because somebody helped me get through this difficult time and I want to do the same
The other side is..."
No one was there for me during my experience and I want to be there for somebody else
- Mary Garrison, Professor of Social Work

What kind of internships qualify?

Any student pursuing an unpaid internship with a non-profit organization is elligible to apply
for a stipend from the VHP fund, with special consideration for those in the Social Services and Art Therapy fields.

  • Social Worker

    A social worker assists children and adults with improving the well-being. Many clients may suffer from mental or emotional illness caused by traumatic life experiences. A social worker helps their clients connect with community resources that are available to them and may even support them through crisis situations.

  • Counselor

    Counselors come in many specialties, often providing support and coping techniques to their clients to help them overcome challenges in their life. Examples are substance abuse counselors, mental health counselors or even school guidance counselors.

  • Art Therapist

    Art therapists leverage the creative process to help people of all ages and ailments cope with their situations. Art therapists develop programs based on proven psychology to allow their patients to express thoughts and feelings in ways that may be easier and less stressful to them.

  • Social Services Manager

    Social services managers develop and run programs within social service agencies. These programs can be focused on assisting specific subsets of the population, homeless, elderly, etc. or communities as a whole.

Interested In Supporting this Project?

All gifts made to Millikin through this fund are going towards helping students pursue dreams of making their communities a better place.