Founding member of DignityMichiana 

 

Participated as panelist on alumnae panel discussing issues of sexuality, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana (3 years)

 

Infant and Toddler Mental Health Mentorship Initiative

 

Volunteer for the Family Intervention Center, a shelter for battered women and children

 

Recipient of Women's Studies Prize, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana

 

Published article in The Avenue, Saint Mary's College student publication; article topic explored the issue of diversity and multi-culturalism on campus

 

Published two articles in Common Sense, University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College independent publication; article topics explored the issue of sexuality

 

Received 3rd Place Honors in Black History Month essay contest on multi-culturalism at Saint Mary's College

 

Participated in and shared leadership responsibilities in the formation of a student organization to provide support and discussion surrounding issues of women and sexuality

 

Collaborated with Women's Studies professor to develop curriculum and proposal to the Curriculum Committee for a Black Feminist Theory course

 

Participated in campus forums on sexuality and on race relations

 

Through Justice Education Department, involved in the re-formation of Peace Maker's, a campus group dedicated to discussing and promoting justice issues

 

Guest lectured in a literature and an education class on topics of sexuality and multi-culturalism

 

Staff member of monthly high school newspaper; wrote editorials and human-interest stories relating to the school; responsible for editing one volume.

Family Development Consultant, Home-based, Real Services

Certified as a Family Development Specialist; provide in-home services for families, connect families to resources in the community, serve as a mentor, act as an advocate, encourage positive life-skills and help to formulate personal goals.  Responsible for promoting family self-sufficiency and conducting Family Development Matrix assessments in twelve life areas.  Recruit new clients,  promote Family Development program through presentations at various agencies, and form connections with area service agencies.  Skills required include knowledge of community services, comfort with public speaking,excellent problem-solving skills, good repoire/relationship building, and understanding of and ability to work within client systems.

                               

Child Development Specialist Home-based, Bona Vista/ Early Head Start

Provide in-home assessment and consulting on the developmental needs of children ages 0-3 years, and connect families with resource agencies available in the community.   Responsible for planning activities that promote and stimulate developmental growth, providing age appropriate activities, modeling behavior to parents; advocating for the needs of the children and family, and facilitating group socializations.   Skills required include knowledge of early childhood development, advocacy, knowledge and sensitivity to diverse cultures, and working with minimal supervision.

  

Self-employed, Narnia Childcare and Learning Center

Provide child care for children aged infant to 5 years, work with parents to ensure appropriate childhood development, prepare clients for pre-school and/or kindergarten, provide care for parents who were receiving government funding for childcare, use holistic approach with focus on the person as a whole, emphasizing the child's mind, body, spirit, emotions, etc.

 

Supervisor of youth residential treatment facility, The Children's Campus-Family and Children's Center

Supervise staff, residents, and daily routine, provide safe, structured and therapeutic environment in order to facilitate growth, healing, recovery, and rehabilitation of emotionally disturbed youth/teens, facilitate and oversee conflict resolutions and therapeutic crisis interventions, insure quality staffing through monthly review of staff performance, as well as day to day leadership and role modeling for staff and residents on the unit. Requires understanding of verbal and non-verbal communications, working in a team environment, finding creative solutions for peer conflicts and crises that occurred on the unit, being able to react quickly to ever changing situations, ability to react calmly in crisis situations, ability to motivate staff, and provide staff with feed back of job performance. 

 

Work Study Position--Coordinating and Supervising Children’s After-School Activities, The Center for the Homeless, Inc.

Plan and supervise children’s activities aimed at building self- esteem, exploring talents and interests, learning and fostering healthy forms of recreation, organize resources and physical space, provide direct interaction with children and their parents. Required skills include maturity, compassion, responsibility, organization, personal skills, and a desire to learn and teach.

 

Work Study Position--Chapel Assistant, The Center for the Homeless, Inc.

Plan and supervise weekly non-denominational prayer meetings in the chapel.  Participate in ceremonies and prayer services lead by residents.  Talk and pray with anyone who needs the chapel's services.

Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana

Bachelor of Arts, Religious Studies   Minor: Women's Studies and Justice Education

 

ORDINATION:

Rose Ministries (Member of the Association of Independent Ministries)

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

Family Development Specialist Certification, The National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and The

University of Iowa School of Social Work

 

Northern Indiana Workforce Investment Board seminar featuring Jason DeParle, author of "American Dream:  Three Women, Ten Kids and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare"

 

Positive Outcomes With Depression, Madison Center and Hospital

 

Exploring Legal Issues In Domestic Abuse, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

 

16-Step Model for Overcoming Addictions:  Empowering Women so Treatment Works, Charlototte Kasl, PhD

 

Beginnings in Early Childhood Development, Ivy Tech

 

Working With Extremely At-Risk Clients, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

 

 Indiana Assosiation for the Education of the Young Child Conference

 

Infant Mental Health Conference, Indiana’s Unified Training System

 

Working for Working Families Conference

 

Early Childhood Language and Literacy Exploration, Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School District

 

Child Development trainings at Early Head Start, Bona Vista:  Promoting Cognitive Opportunites, Establishing a Safe Learning Environment, Creating Learning Environments, Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism, Creative Activities, Promoting Physical Health, Good Health and Nutrition, Guidance, and Communication

 

Cornell Therapeutic Crisis Intervention; includes conflict resolution, therapeutic escorts and restraints, Life Space Interview technique, etc.