Vera Lewis
Homeownership Program Coordinator / IDA Specialist at Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc.- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Meagan Bakker
To whom it may concern: I am enthralled to have the opportunity to recommend Vera Lewis. I have worked alongside Vera since February of 2022 as a Homeownership Program Coordinator. Vera took on the additional role as a IDA Specialist and exlempifies going above and beyond, and is dedicated to the job and the participants she serves. I work closely with Vera, and I am always amazed by her drive, creativity, and willingness to support and collaborate. She continues to improves the Homeownership, Foreclosure, and IDA programs and is responsible for increasing development and team productivity. She manages over 200 clients and consistently meets her reporting goals. In her role, she encourages, and educates her clients on financial capability, pre-purchase homebuying, and foreclosure avoidance. Vera works well under-pressure and always meets her deadlines, she is innovative and thinks outside the box which makes her an asset to the team. Vera has demonstrated her ability to excel in any role. I recommend Vera without hesitation, she is a team-player, and a leader. I am confident that she would be a great addition to any team. If you need more infromation or specific examples, feel free to reach out, Kindly, Meagan Bakker Homeownership Program Coordinator
Michelle Manning
I have worked with Vera for about a year now, and she is a stellar teammate and housing counselor. Vera started her role at a time when the previous team was transitioning out; by the time I joined the team, Vera was the senior team member, with only a month under her belt! Regardless, Vera jumped right in and was happy to help me and the other new team members acclimate and share the amazing amount of knowledge she had picked up in a very short amount of time. In addition to being a quick learner, loyal teammate, and friendly mentor, Vera is simply a joy to be around and work with each day. She has a fun, joyful energy that permeates the office and makes work fun for everyone.
Meagan Bakker
To whom it may concern: I am enthralled to have the opportunity to recommend Vera Lewis. I have worked alongside Vera since February of 2022 as a Homeownership Program Coordinator. Vera took on the additional role as a IDA Specialist and exlempifies going above and beyond, and is dedicated to the job and the participants she serves. I work closely with Vera, and I am always amazed by her drive, creativity, and willingness to support and collaborate. She continues to improves the Homeownership, Foreclosure, and IDA programs and is responsible for increasing development and team productivity. She manages over 200 clients and consistently meets her reporting goals. In her role, she encourages, and educates her clients on financial capability, pre-purchase homebuying, and foreclosure avoidance. Vera works well under-pressure and always meets her deadlines, she is innovative and thinks outside the box which makes her an asset to the team. Vera has demonstrated her ability to excel in any role. I recommend Vera without hesitation, she is a team-player, and a leader. I am confident that she would be a great addition to any team. If you need more infromation or specific examples, feel free to reach out, Kindly, Meagan Bakker Homeownership Program Coordinator
Michelle Manning
I have worked with Vera for about a year now, and she is a stellar teammate and housing counselor. Vera started her role at a time when the previous team was transitioning out; by the time I joined the team, Vera was the senior team member, with only a month under her belt! Regardless, Vera jumped right in and was happy to help me and the other new team members acclimate and share the amazing amount of knowledge she had picked up in a very short amount of time. In addition to being a quick learner, loyal teammate, and friendly mentor, Vera is simply a joy to be around and work with each day. She has a fun, joyful energy that permeates the office and makes work fun for everyone.
Meagan Bakker
To whom it may concern: I am enthralled to have the opportunity to recommend Vera Lewis. I have worked alongside Vera since February of 2022 as a Homeownership Program Coordinator. Vera took on the additional role as a IDA Specialist and exlempifies going above and beyond, and is dedicated to the job and the participants she serves. I work closely with Vera, and I am always amazed by her drive, creativity, and willingness to support and collaborate. She continues to improves the Homeownership, Foreclosure, and IDA programs and is responsible for increasing development and team productivity. She manages over 200 clients and consistently meets her reporting goals. In her role, she encourages, and educates her clients on financial capability, pre-purchase homebuying, and foreclosure avoidance. Vera works well under-pressure and always meets her deadlines, she is innovative and thinks outside the box which makes her an asset to the team. Vera has demonstrated her ability to excel in any role. I recommend Vera without hesitation, she is a team-player, and a leader. I am confident that she would be a great addition to any team. If you need more infromation or specific examples, feel free to reach out, Kindly, Meagan Bakker Homeownership Program Coordinator
Michelle Manning
I have worked with Vera for about a year now, and she is a stellar teammate and housing counselor. Vera started her role at a time when the previous team was transitioning out; by the time I joined the team, Vera was the senior team member, with only a month under her belt! Regardless, Vera jumped right in and was happy to help me and the other new team members acclimate and share the amazing amount of knowledge she had picked up in a very short amount of time. In addition to being a quick learner, loyal teammate, and friendly mentor, Vera is simply a joy to be around and work with each day. She has a fun, joyful energy that permeates the office and makes work fun for everyone.
Meagan Bakker
To whom it may concern: I am enthralled to have the opportunity to recommend Vera Lewis. I have worked alongside Vera since February of 2022 as a Homeownership Program Coordinator. Vera took on the additional role as a IDA Specialist and exlempifies going above and beyond, and is dedicated to the job and the participants she serves. I work closely with Vera, and I am always amazed by her drive, creativity, and willingness to support and collaborate. She continues to improves the Homeownership, Foreclosure, and IDA programs and is responsible for increasing development and team productivity. She manages over 200 clients and consistently meets her reporting goals. In her role, she encourages, and educates her clients on financial capability, pre-purchase homebuying, and foreclosure avoidance. Vera works well under-pressure and always meets her deadlines, she is innovative and thinks outside the box which makes her an asset to the team. Vera has demonstrated her ability to excel in any role. I recommend Vera without hesitation, she is a team-player, and a leader. I am confident that she would be a great addition to any team. If you need more infromation or specific examples, feel free to reach out, Kindly, Meagan Bakker Homeownership Program Coordinator
Michelle Manning
I have worked with Vera for about a year now, and she is a stellar teammate and housing counselor. Vera started her role at a time when the previous team was transitioning out; by the time I joined the team, Vera was the senior team member, with only a month under her belt! Regardless, Vera jumped right in and was happy to help me and the other new team members acclimate and share the amazing amount of knowledge she had picked up in a very short amount of time. In addition to being a quick learner, loyal teammate, and friendly mentor, Vera is simply a joy to be around and work with each day. She has a fun, joyful energy that permeates the office and makes work fun for everyone.
Credentials
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Certified Housing Counselor
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentMay, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Pre-Purchase Homeownership Ed
NeighborWorks AmericaNov, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Homeownership Counseling
NeighborWorks AmericaOct, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counselor
NeighborWorks AmericaAug, 2022- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc.
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Homeownership Program Coordinator / IDA Specialist
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Jan 2022 - Present
• Provide one-on-one pre-purchase counseling, to participants on their journey to first-time homeownership which includes: determining readiness for homeownership based on eligibility, affordability of mortgage and purchase price, educating them on the various mortgage products to ensure comfortability with their mortgage decisions, addressing budget issues through comprehensive financial counseling and developing a spending plan. • Write narrative analysis and action plans to document next steps after each counseling session • Comprehensively manages entire IDA process with an emphasis on customer service, regular communication and client advocacy • Coordinate and facilitate home buyer education and financial workshops • Utilize CounselorMax, Service Point, and Outcome Tracker to input client notes and track client information • Provide one-on-one foreclosure intervention and default counseling by educating participants with the best options available for their situations to avoid foreclosure including, Loss Mitigation, Homeowner Assistance Fund and/or American Rescue Plan Act funds. • Develop referral resources by building relationships with lenders, realtors, human services organizations, local governments, and professional peers. • Assist with monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to various funders in accordance with grant requirements • Participate in community outreach Show less
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Service Corporation International
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Individual and Family Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Office Manager
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May 2019 - Nov 2021
• Received initial call when a death occurred and entered the deceased information into Carepoint system for the care team to take the deceased into our care • Completed funeral home reports and filed them accurately • Ordered supplies for the office and completed inventory counts • Assisted in preparing and submitting documents related to funeral or cremation services • Oversaw processing of accounting support functions including: collections, billing, verifications and payments of invoices, expense report and petty cash reconciliation, and cash disbursement report audit and verification. • Interacted with families in a professional, compassionate, and empathetic manner • Supported the Funeral Directors, associates, vendors, and families with funeral services • Initiated same day check requests • Trained associates in the proper administration of policies and procedures • Conducted Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Audits • Maintained and update customer records Show less
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Service Corporation International
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Individual and Family Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Family Service Counselor
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May 2018 - Mar 2019
• Engaged with families guiding them through cemetery tours • Assisted with the set-up details of the committal service, remained present and observant attending to the family’s needs during the committal service • Requested cash advance and same day checks • Contacted and met with family and friends of the loved whom passed away to offer them the opportunity to prearrange their final wishes for their own funeral and cemetery • Responded to client inquiries in a timely, sensitive, respectful, and professional manner Show less
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XPO
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Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
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700 & Above Employee
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Benefits Specialist
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Feb 2017 - Mar 2018
• Responded to the National Medical Support Notices (NMSN); a court order from support agencies requiring parents to provide medical and dental coverage for their children which included enrolling employee and children • Maintained an action log of the NMSNs • Answered the customer service line to assist employees, retirees, support agencies, benefit vendors, and attorney’s with benefit inquiries • Submitted health verification notices to support agencies • Responded to the National Medical Support Notices (NMSN); a court order from support agencies requiring parents to provide medical and dental coverage for their children which included enrolling employee and children • Maintained an action log of the NMSNs • Answered the customer service line to assist employees, retirees, support agencies, benefit vendors, and attorney’s with benefit inquiries • Submitted health verification notices to support agencies
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Greater New Hope Family Services
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Portland, Oregon, United States
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Case Manager
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Jul 2016 - Nov 2016
• Interviewed families for eligibility and assessment of needed services • Collaborated with families to develop and implement an action plan with specific goals, addressing the six life domains: housing, income, education, positive child development, wellness & health, and social capital • Engaged with families face to face weekly to update progress towards permanent housing • Maintained accurate up to date weekly case notes • Used creativity and resourcefulness in advocating for families • Applied program funds appropriately to each family Show less
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Oregon Health & Science University
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Hospitals and Health Care
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700 & Above Employee
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Department HR Manager
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Apr 2006 - Mar 2016
• Assisted new employees with onboarding documents • Initiated background checks • Requested drug screens • Completed I9 Employment Eligibility Verifications • Reviewed, approved, and advertised position approval requests • Completed personal actions requests including: new hire, FTE changes, transfers, leaves of absence, pay changes, personal information changes, and terminations • Completed direct reports performance reviews • Supported the Promotion & Tenure Committee, Women in Academic Medicine Committee, and the Committee on Committees Committee • Managed the School of Medicine Nomination/Election and Promotion & Tenure processes • Verified Faculty appointments for School of Medicine Faculty • Maintained electronic employee files • Assisted employees with off boarding Show less
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Education
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2009 - 2014
Warner Pacific University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Human Development and Family Studies, General
Community
