Volunteering & Internships

  • "I wish I knew how relaxed, comfortable, and fun the environment here was before I got started!"

    -Megan, Hope College (2024)

  • "There is a big difference between classroom knowledge and real-life experience. Being able to shadow and play a role in the sessions was so helpful!"

    -Aubrey, Cornerstone (2024)

  • "Any student exploring OT will be blessed to experience the contagious joy and unending learning at CAYA. This was an amazing experience, and I cannot thank you all enough for your investment in me and other future students!"

    - Emma, Cornerstone (2024)

  • "Just being in this environment made me grow in confidence: in my abilities, grad school, and my future career. I also grew so much in my knowledge of OT! I am so grateful for this opportunity!"

    -Myra, Cornerstone (2025)

Our volunteer/internship program is designed as an opportunity for those who are interested in pursuing graduate level careers in occupational therapy or speech therapy.  This experience allows individuals to learn more about the profession and to gain observation hours required for grad school applications. We love the work that we get to do, and we are excited to give you a glimpse into daily life as an OT or SLP! 

At CAYA, volunteers aren’t just watching from the sidelines—they’re learning, growing, and are actively part of our clinic community.

Individuals that are a good fit for this program are warm, playful, flexible, compassionate, curious, independent learners, and able to take initiative.  Experience with pediatrics and/or other vulnerable populations is preferred but not required. 

  • This volunteer program offers meaningful exposure to the day-to-day rhythms of our clinic. Participants observe and support daily operations, collaborate with our clinic coordinator on projects, and have opportunities to join in on the fun of treatment sessions.

    We are a team of life-long learners, who share a genuine enjoyment of supporting others as they grow. These positions are unpaid, but internships can often be applied toward academic credit depending on your university’s requirements.

    Because it can be disruptive to our community to have unfamiliar people in our space, we do not offer short term volunteer opportunities. Instead, typical participation includes a 3-4 hour shift once per week for approximately 8 weeks. This allows you to become ‘familiar’ with our space and create a more consistent presence for our people.

    If you have specific internship assignments or program requirements, feel free to let us know - we’re happy to collaborate.

Still Interested?

Fill out the below application, and we’ll be in touch.

Apply here!