Experience

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  Social Worker

  • Greater Boston Area

  • Social Worker

    • Oct 2017 - Present
    • Greater Boston Area

    • Wisconsin Initiative to Promote Healthy LifestylesProvide evidence-based training and evaluation for early intervention and treatment of individuals with or at risk of developing substance use disorders through the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) Training Program.• Greater Boston Based Home CareProvide home-based medical social services to home-based patients, including intake and assessment, treatment plan development, and case management. Serve as a liaison between patient and medical staff or outside agencies, and collaborate with primary care physicians and other health care team members to optimize patient’s social adjustment.

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  Survivors Empowering Survivors

  • online (worldwide)

  • Founder and Administrator

    • 2013 - Present
    • online (worldwide)

    Created online support and educational group for over 160 individuals impacted by abuse, violence, addiction, and various mental health issues, as well as those affected by the issues of friends and family. The group provides a forum for survivors to tell their stories to reduce stigma, shame and isolation, along with mentorship and mutual support among group members. Developed over 100 files providing education, information and resources on abuse, sexual violence, addiction and mental health issues. Recruited administrators to serve as mentors and counselors.

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  Big Sister Association of Greater Boston

  • Boston, MA

  • Social Work Intern

    • Jan 2015 - Dec 2015
    • Boston, MA

    Developed curriculum and facilitated multiple psycho-educational groups for at-risk girls aged 11-18 years old. Conducted Biopsychosocial assessments for prospective Big Sisters aged 18-50 years old. Conducted assessments for prospective Little Sisters aged 7-15 years old and their parents/guardians. Provided strength-based support and referrals to Little Sisters. Provided strength-based support and guidance to Big Sisters and Little Sisters to enhance successful relationships. Worked with various school personnel to facilitate services. • Created and developed age-appropriate dating and sexual violence curriculum. • Coordinated with 7 schools and community centers to provide services to at-risk girls aged 7-18. - Developed dating and sexual violence prevention program for middle school girls through USC's Capstone Course.

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  USC School of Social Work

  • Social Work Graduate Student

    • May 2012 - Dec 2015

    Children and Families Concentration.

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  Union Station Homeless Services

  • Pasadena, CA

  • Clinical Social Work Intern

    • Jun 2012 - Dec 2012
    • Pasadena, CA

    Provided counseling and case management for homeless men and women through Union Station’s Community Meals and Shower program, 56-bed Adult Center, and 142-apartment permanent supportive housing facility.

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  Lakoni, Incorporated

  • Los Angeles, CA

  • Publicist and Manager

    • 2001 - 2012
    • Los Angeles, CA

    Provided publicity and management for successful professional guitarist working with artists such as Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, David Foster, and more.• Coordinated design and development of artist website, business cards, letterhead, resume and biography. • Conducted publicity, marketing and public relations for performances. • Provided and edited performance photography, video and other media packages. • Coordinated multiple work contracts, including individual performances, musical direction contracts, and jazz benefit providing scholarships and academic enrichment for at risk youth.

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  American Friends Service Committee

  • Pasadena, CA

  • Southwest Regional Fundraiser

    • 2003 - 2004
    • Pasadena, CA

    Provided leadership, guidance, mentorship and assistance with fundraising to offices throughout the Southwest Region of the United States. Offices supported work with native/indigenous populations (Hawaii, New Mexico), immigration and border issues (San Diego, Arizona), peace and antimilitarism, LGBT rights, criminal justice, and Middle East peace issues (Los Angeles).• Developed personalized fundraising and marketing plans based on each office’s unique resources, challenges and strengths, with an emphasis on developing loyalty, connection, ownership & empowerment within the communities they served. • Created regional newsletter for nationwide distribution (hard copy and digital)• Composed and distributed a fundraising “manual” for each AFSC office throughout the Pacific Southwest Region.

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  Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council

  • Los Angeles, CA

  • Executive Director

    • 1999 - 2001
    • Los Angeles, CA

    Oversaw a victim/survivor-centered, coordinated, countywide approach to addressing intimate partner violence. Presided over 38 voting member agencies and over 100 non-voting member agencies from shelter agencies, community groups, the courts, law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, Public Defender, Health Services, and more. Coordinated services, reviewed legislation, raised public awareness of services, trained professionals, and developed strategies with the public and private sectors to stem the incidence of domestic violence. Standing committees of the DVC focus on legal issues, legislation, LGBTQ, shelter services and religion as each pertain to domestic violence.• Garnered national recognition for the Council through awards and presentations at national conferences.• Personally trained all County management and supervisors for the L.A. County Employee Domestic Violence Assistance Program, which affected 93,000 employees. Received a national award for innovative programming.• Provided additional training for over 5,000 professionals.• Traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel, to assist the municipality of Tel Aviv in developing a workplace violence program.• Coordinated press conferences with government officials, assembly hearings, conferences and town hall meetings.

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  County of Los Angeles, Community and Senior Services

  • Greater Los Angeles Area

  • Domestic Violence Consultant

    • 1999 - 1999
    • Greater Los Angeles Area

    • Chaired the Training Committee of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council.• Designed and developed a Countywide “Domestic Violence Yellow Pages” to enhance service delivery in L.A. County, including a “Language Directory” and “Specialized Services Directory.”• Led the development and implementation of the Los Angeles County Employee Domestic Violence Assistance Program. Included development of training curriculum, outreach materials.

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  YWCA OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

  • West Covina, CA

  • Director, WINGS Domestic Violence Shelter & Outreach Program

    • 1997 - 1999
    • West Covina, CA

    Directed one of the largest domestic violence shelters in Los Angeles County that provides emergency and transitional shelter, support groups, community education, and a Children’s Program. Oversaw $1 million budget and 30 program staff providing 24-hour support to victims of domestic violence.• Received commendation from L.A. County for Outstanding Victim Services. • Selected to chair the Executive Directors Committee of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council.• Led program growth from $670,000 to $1,000,000. Eliminated program deficit of $50,000.• Created children’s program for child victims of domestic violence.• Designed and developed new outreach and branding materials, staff enrichment program to enhance services, reduce burnout, and increase staff retention.

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  Elizabeth Stone House

  • Jamaica Plain, MA

  • Coordinator of Community Outreach and Education

    • 1994 - 1997
    • Jamaica Plain, MA

    Designed and delivered presentations, workshops, and training for internationally-renown feminist mental health alternative for women and their children. Managed local and national public relations and media coverage. Represented ESH at conferences, coalitions, and task forces. Initiated and coordinated special events, documentaries and videos. Produced bi-annual newsletter, doubling agency’s mailing list. Wrote and published articles. Recruited and supervised interns and volunteers. • Coordinated 20th Anniversary Celebration Benefit with silent and live auction, three bands, keynote speakers.• Increased national recognition through article publication & presentations.• Created, developed, designed and supervised production of new agency brochure, outreach materials, and training manual.• Participated in planning for groundbreaking CEO Challenge involving local businesses partnering with shelters.

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  Americans for Indian Opportunity

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

  • Ambassador, American Indian Ambassador Program

    • 1993 - 1994
    • Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

    Selected as one of 32 national Ambassadors in an intensive one-year program for emerging Native American leaders. • Created, designed and developed cultural enrichment and support program for urban Native American adolescents, “NAYA: Native American Youth Alliance”. • Developed and coordinated citywide collaborations for program.

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  "Hermanas/Sisters Kinship Program, Cambridge YWCA (Summer Program)

  • Cambridge, MA

  • Director

    • 1993 - 1993
    • Cambridge, MA

    Designed, developed and directed summer enrichment program for pre-adolescent girls. Conducted groups and individual counseling. Coordinated and supervised agency collaborations. Insured grant compliance, program quality and implementation, documentation, and reporting. Supervised program staff.

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  Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

  • Cambridge, MA

  • AHORA Counselor/Coordinator

    • 1991 - 1993
    • Cambridge, MA

    Conducted individual and group counseling, educational groups, and leadership programs for Latino adolescents at the Cambridge public high school. Designed and delivered presentations to area schools. Worked with teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, families, and community agencies to coordinate support services for students. Program development, grant-writing and administration, billing. Created, developed, and facilitated: • "Latin Alliance" peer leadership group, the first bilingual peer leadership group in the city of Cambridge.• “Girls’ Empowerment and Support Group" • "Big Sister project" for high school mentors to 8th-grade girls

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  Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital

  • Dallas/Fort Worth Area

  • Mental Health Worker

    • 1988 - 1989
    • Dallas/Fort Worth Area

    Provided individual and group counseling in the acute care unit of a nationally-recognized psychiatric hospital. Worked with multidisciplinary team in patient assessment, development and implementation of treatment strategies.