Experience

Youth & Opportunity United

• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Middle School Team Leader

  • Jul 2014 - Present

   Responsible for organizing bi-monthly meetings with Middle School Site Coordinators to discuss ways that each program attains program goals set out by the agency. Consult with site coordinators on establishing cohesive programming and ensuring the goals and vision of the organization. Organize collaborative activities between sites. Advise all Y.O.U. Middle School sites on program success, curriculum, enrollment numbers, and family-based programming. Meet with Administrative Team to discuss status of Middle School sites including issuing program reports. Served as Y.O.U. representative for Chicagoland businesses regarding collaborative efforts and community linkage. Obtain donations through fundraising efforts on behalf of Y.O.U.

• Site-Coordinator

  • Jul 2013 - Present

   Received the 2014 Don Baker Employee of the Year Award  Develop and coordinate afterschool and summer activities, including academic assistance, life skill development, parental involvement, recreation and cultural enrichment.  Lead and supervise a program team that consists of 10 – 15 people. Nurture supportive and collaborative relationships with parents, school administrators, teachers, students and community representatives, to identify and meet common goals amongst these stakeholders. Identify emerging issues facing the school site's students, and incorporate necessary program design changes to ensure that services remain relevant and effective for students. Monitor the quality of programs, and provide ongoing feedback to drive continuous improvement. Coordinate recruitment efforts, ensuring large and diverse student participation in programs.  Develop and sustain external partnerships with community organizations to bring needed programs and services into the school and Y.O.U. after-school programs.  Maintain accurate, complete and up to date records.  Ensure Y.O.U.'s compliance with and timely reporting on grants that support programs.  Act as a key spokesperson of the organization in the community.  Work in rotation with other staff; 24 hour on call response (CCBYS) to be available to respond to crisis housing service requests in conjunction with the Evanston Police Dept.

• Direct Youth Services Worker

  • Aug 2006 - Jun 2013

   Facilitated activities that focus on building relationships, life skill development, academic assistance, parental involvement, recreation and cultural enrichment in a classroom setting.  Developed and maintained good working relationships with service providers, supervisors, educators, co-workers, volunteers and other organizations within the community providing services to youth.  Offered effective counseling, advocacy, support, referral, and service brokerage to young people and their families.  Worked in rotation with other staff; 24 hour on call response (CCBYS) to be available to respond to crisis housing service requests in conjunction with the Evanston Police Dept.



Rice Children's Home and Aide

• Mental Healthcare Professional

  • Aug 2004 - Jul 2006

   Handled coordination of all events for the unit both on and off grounds including: therapy groups, psycho-educational groups, day trips, family visits, sporting events and extra-curricular activities. Provided and modeled appropriate boundaries following unit and program rules; providing learning opportunities in place of disciplinary action in accordance with the behavior treatment models of the center i.e. TCI and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Utilized specific intervention models to help children learn to modify their behavior in a positive way.  Trained in T.C.I., Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, demonstrating personal interest and attention to each child assigned.  Worked in conjunction with a clinical team to establish effective Individual Treatment Plans and Behavior Management Plans in addition to any immediate Safety Plans or adjustments in programming to meet client's individual needs. Followed and implemented standing orders and distributed medication under the training and direction of the medical staff. Served as the unit representative on Quality Assurance Team that worked with clinicians and administrators to improve overall facility programming and operations.