Senior Community Advocate

• Jul 2022 - Present

Community Advocate

• Aug 2015 - Present

Collaborates on creating policies, procedures, and goals of the newly expanded Community Support Partnership. Developed an intake process and serves as the first point of contact to survivors of domestic violence by conducting intakes, assessments, and triaging services. Supports survivors of domestic violence through court accompaniment, legal advocacy, housing advocacy, and referrals to community resources. Facilitates weekly walk-in hours at Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) providing advocacy to survivors applying to CHA or current tenants, in addition to consulting with CHA staff. Co-facilitates the Cambridge Arlington Belmont High Risk Assessment and Response Team’s (CAB HART) monthly meetings. Conducts high risk assessments, referrals to the CAB HART team, safety planning, and coordination with the Cambridge Police Department. Provides consultation to Transition House’s housing staff and participants regarding high risk assessments and safety planning. Provides technical assistance and training to service providers about partner abuse, dating violence, and family violence.

Residential Advocate

• Jul 2014 - Aug 2015

Served as an advocate providing trauma-informed services through an empowerment and relational model to survivors of domestic violence in an emergency shelter setting. Provided advocacy, case management, referrals, and transportation to community resources including housing, mental health and substance use, accessing healthcare and public benefits, immigration, and legal matters, etc. Conducted intakes, assessments, and answers 24/7 hotline. Provided crisis intervention and collaborated with survivors in developing safety plans. Rotated on-call coverage supporting part-time staff and providing emergency consultation. Co-facilitated support groups. Developed and presented training on REACH’s philosophy of providing domestic violence services including incorporating the Full Frame Initiative. Supervised undergraduate interns.

Human Resources Assistant

• Feb 2013 - Jun 2014

Employs technical and interpersonal communication skills to build and sustain a respectful and confidential environment for employees and vendors. Maintains employee information in ADP database and employee records. Administers benefits; manages Open Enrollment; processes payroll, CORI checks, employment verifications, and FMLA; oversees performance evaluations; and posts employment opportunities. Initiates correspondence and reviews CWU’s policies and procedures with new hires.

Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer/Human Resources Assistant

• Mar 2008 - Jun 2014

Administratively supports the COO and the programs and operations overseen by the COO. Collaborated with program participants, employees, and management on projects to support CWU’s mission. Worked in the housing department to analyze current systems and contribute to the development of new processes and initiatives such as completing permanent housing applications, budgeting tool, and the internal implementation of new housing subsidy programs. Tracked the progress of these initiatives. Served as a liaison to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and maintained compliance for shelter programs. Collaborated on research documenting CWU’s unique relationship with a volunteer group conducting monthly clinical case consultations.

Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

• Mar 2008 - Jan 2009

Served as the primary contact for the organization providing excellent customer service and administrative support to departments across the organization. Ensured the safety of the building and confidentially of shelter guests.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assualt Advocate, MSW Intern

• Sep 2013 - May 2014

Provides trauma-informed hospital-based counseling, crisis and case management services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Partners with clients to identify and prioritize needs through an empowerment model. Conducts safety planning, risk assessment, and makes referrals to community resources. Maintains timely case notes and documentation utilizing Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), a performance database management software. Co-facilitates events within the hospital to create awareness about the program and domestic and sexual violence. Assisted in planning and organizing of SAGE’s annual conference, Sexual and Domestic Violence in the Lives of Older LGBT Survivors.

School Counselor, MSW Intern

• Sep 2011 - Jun 2012

Supported and developed relationships with adolescent boys with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges in an alternative therapeutic high school. Advocated for the best interests of students, participated in daily team meetings to monitor students’ behavior, co-taught a music video elective class, and co-facilitated a social skills group. Provided individual counseling to students, incorporating art therapy and relaxation exercises while maintaining regular communication with collateral contacts. Developed and reported on counseling goals for Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and participated in these review meetings.

Residential Case Worker

• Jul 2007 - Feb 2008

Implemented behavior management utilizing counseling skills, program structure and routine, and crisis management techniques practicing a strengths-based perspective with adolescent girls ages 11 to 17 in a residential setting. Planned daily activities for clients, maintained detailed documentation, facilitated groups on social and life skills development, assisted clients in performing daily life skills, and monitored clients’ self-administer medications. Developed goals and individual service plans in addition to providing client advocacy and communicating regularly with collateral contacts. Participated in client case conferences and medical and psychiatric evaluations.

Volunteer Advocate

• Oct 2006 - May 2007