What is QUEST?

QuEST is an internship program sponsored by the University Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Located in Seattle, Washington, QuEST seeks to build a peaceful, just, sustainable world by empowering interns to act as agents of social change and social service during their year with QuEST and throughout their lives. The program provides Quaker and non-Quaker interns with: quality, year-long positions at local social change and social service organizations that can benefit from an intern's service; supplemental training to empower interns in their work for social change and social service; and an intentional, residential community where interns can receive support, practice community-building skills, and live simply.

Through QuEST, interns commit themselves to a year of full-time service for social justice. For some interns, this service is a valuable way to gain experience for future careers in the peace and justice field. For others, it is a chance to spend a year making a difference before pursuing other opportunities. And for others, it is a way to explore the connection between spirituality and action.

 

Service Site Placements

Interns are placed according to matching preferences between candidates and agencies at a variety of social change and social service organizations. Placement opportunities change every year. The following agencies are just some of the organizations that have had interns in the past:                    

Compass Center - transitional and emergency services for homeless men and women
Feet First - building walkable communities
New Beginnings - domestic violence shelter
Northest Immigrant Rights Project - legal aid for immigrants
Real Change - creating opportunity and voice for low income people
Student Conservation Association - America's conservation corps
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility - helping create a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world

All placements offer meaningful work and quality supervision. Job responsibilities vary among placements. Interns have worked as case managers, volunteer coordinators, legal advocates, program coordinators, information and referral counselors, client advocates, and in other positions.

Training

In addition to training received at their placements, interns receive customized training through the QuEST program. These monthly, two-hour sessions focus on issues such as conflict resolution, undoing racism, career exploration, spirituality, and other topics of interest to the interns. In addition, interns are provided with an intensive orientation when they arrive, and actively participate in the management of the QuEST program throughout the year. Mentorship is also available through one-on-one meetings with the Coordinator, QuEST Committee members, and through the UFM community.

 

The Intern Community

QuEST recruits six young adults from around the U.S. (and world) to participate in the program each year. Interns come from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds. Interns share a commitment to service, social justice, and nonviolence. They also commit to a year of voluntary simplicity.

Interns live together cooperatively in Quaker House (right), a 1910 home adjacent to the Meeting House, in the University District of Seattle. Part of the interns’ experience of building community is reaching agreements on household matters.

University Friends Meeting provides QuEST with a part-time coordinator and an oversight committee for the program. Participation in worship, program, and social activities of the Meeting is encouraged, but not required, and is open to all interns, regardless of faith.

 

Compensation and AmeriCorps Awards

Agencies pay a $125 monthly stipend directly to the intern, a one-time placement fee to QUEST to cover administrative costs of the program, and a monthly program fee to cover the cost of living for the intern.

Interns receive a private room and shared household fund for food and other expenses, health insurance and basic health care costs, and a bus pass. They may also receive up to $125 for education and personal enrichment during the year. Upon completion of the program, interns receive a $550 exit stipend and may be eligible for $500 short-term, interest-free loans from QUEST.

Interns in most QUEST placements are also eligible for Americorps awards of up to $4750 to be used toward outstanding student loans or higher education pursued within five years of the internship.

 

Application Process

Interns commit to a year of service that begins in early September. Agencies commit themselves by February to having an intern that fall. Intern applications to the program are due on March 1st. Prospective interns will be interviewed by QuEST and by potential placement agencies. Efforts are made to match interns with their placement of interest, but placements at specific agencies are not guaranteed. Interns make their final commitment in early May once they have accepted a placement offer.

University Friends Meeting is an equal-opportunity employer.