Gould Farm employs a community-centered, work-based therapeutic approach that delivers structure, fosters community engagement, and provides clinical support for our guests, who stay at Gould Farm for an average of 9 – 12 months.
Website: https://www.gouldfarm.org/
Job Descriptions
Nestled within 700 acres of picturesque New England pastures and woodlands, Gould Farm stands as a respected institution since its founding in 1913, committed to pioneering psychiatric rehabilitation in a welcoming, open setting. We invite you to join our therapeutic community, where our primary tenet is a belief in the innate value and potential of every guest who comes here for mental health treatment.
Gould Farm is a therapeutic community located on a 700-acre working farm in the Berkshire Hills. It is one of the nation’s first residential communities dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges. The farm’s mission focuses on recovery through a combination of meaningful work, community living, and clinical care. The setting of Gould Farm plays a key role in the healing process, as its natural environment and communal lifestyle provide a nurturing space for personal growth and recovery for their guests, who stay at Gould Farm for an average of 9 to 12 months.
Job Title: Volunteer
Duties and responsibilities:
Full-time volunteers assume roles on one of our seven work teams. Roles supporting our guests include participating fully in activities such as milk pasteurization, animal husbandry, artisanal cheese-making, vegetable gardening, tending compost, maintaining woodland trails, helping with campus upkeep, preparing meals in the kitchen, baking pastries in our bakery, or serving the public at Roadside, our community café. With guidance from a personal staff mentor, regular bimonthly meetings with the volunteer support team, and access to ongoing training, volunteers work closely with our guests, offering leadership, emotional support, and serving as a positive role model as they embark on their path to recovery. A year- long commitment as a volunteer at Gould Farm serves as an exceptional foundation for those considering a career in the field of human services.
Requirements:
Volunteers should possess emotional and physical well-being, mature judgment, strong communication skills, warmth, a genuine interest in communal living, a proven work history, and a valid driver’s license.