Melissa Benton Email & Phone Number

-Provide library resources, programs, and services, primarily outside of the branches, to culturally diverse populations throughout the District. Plan and implement programs and provide programming support.-Plan and facilitate Spanish / English Bilingual Storytimes for Pre-K and elementary school children at community locations.-Demonstrate positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor working with customers, coworkers and the community.-Support community-building activities that celebrate cultural heritage and promote access to resources for traditionally underserved communities.-Celebrate diversity and promote inclusion through considerate selection of materials and creation of bilingual programing.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

-Supported 40 highly-engaged volunteer "ESL Mentors" serving as language and cultural facilitators to intermediate and advanced English Language Learners.-Organized virtual and in-person volunteer training workshops and quarterly English learner presentation events as the culmination of learners' project-based activities. Coordinated guest speakers and provided support to select content relevant to the audience.-Connected mentor/learner pairs with language and community resources appropriate for meeting personal and professional goals and furthering community integration.-Hosted a weekly "Conversations in English" group for learners wishing to improve listening and speaking skills. Fostered a strong sense of community and support among participants in a light-hearted, encouraging atmosphere.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

-Designed and facilitated "Nature at Your Doorstep" after-school enrichment activity for 2nd and 3rd grade students.-Sparked student curiosity through hands-on activities such as making seed bombs, bird feeders, bee hotels, and bird houses.-Utilized online resources made available through the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, Cornell University Bird Lab, Audobon Society, Xerces Society, etc.-Provided stories and print materials in English and Spanish for students and their families.

Cape Verde, West Africa

• Served as a Community Development Specialist with the UN funded “Project for the Consolidation of the Protected Areas of Cape Verde” in partnership with the Cape Verdean government. Designed programs to ensure that representatives of governmental and private institutions, community councils and local community members were each provided an opportunity to participate in all phases of development of 3 new national parks. Worked with 800 households in 23 rural communities.• Co-authored a Portuguese language socio-economic report impacting program priorities. Researched relevant data and created a Community Assessment Questionnaire. Trained and supported 24 Cape Verdean employees throughout the data collection and data entry processes utilizing SPSS.• Initiated partnerships with 7 schools to launch an environmental education program emphasizing hands-on learning, critical thinking skills and environmental stewardship. Overcame challenges related to scarce resources and logistics.• Collaborated with community associations to organize town hall meetings, commemorative events surrounding environmentally themed days, theater presentation, and interpretive sessions customized for participants of varying backgrounds• Supported the parks' ecology team in the design and application of a community-based program for the protection of two critically endangered plant species.• Designed and implemented secondary projects, many of which focused on developing opportunities for women and girls. Wrote grant proposals and received international and/or local funding for 7 programs. Responsible for fiscal management as well as monitoring and evaluation. Programs focused on Youth Development, Life Skills Training, Health Education, Economic Development / Income Generation, Gender Equality, English as a Foreign Language and Community Development• Performed all tasks in Cape Verdean Crioulo (spoken) and Portuguese (written)

Wisconsin Rapids, Wi

• Developed relationships with area business leaders in order to connect employers with appropriate Workforce Development services. • Increased utilization of the WorkKeys assessment tool by presenting to chamber of commerce groups, industry sector groups, individual company representatives and academic institutions.• Created and distributed marketing pieces including e-newsletters, brochures, and success stories. Maintained listserv.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wi

• Identified lags in efficiency and implemented new record keeping systems for improved organization and accuracy.• Composed reports outlining use of funds, services rendered, and populations served.• Monitored compliance with federal regulations and local funding stipulations. • Implemented organizational changes in accordance with Civil Rights Compliance Regulations (EO, LEP), and translated vital documents into Spanish.• Created a community needs assessment questionnaire to assist in determining agency program priorities.

Bancroft, Wi

• Presented English language lessons through bilingual instruction (English / Spanish) to migrant farm workers.• Assessed students' needs, created targeted lessons, and documented improvement through pre/post-testing and dialogue with students.

Greater St. Louis Area

• Achieved Certification as a "Community Action Professional" by demonstrating leadership in the field of Community Development• Coordinated and hosted county-wide job fairs attracting a four-fold increase in participating employers. • Increased program recruitment through advertising campaigns including press releases, television and radio appearances, creation of listserv, and improved marketing materials. Composed success stories for publication and photographed relevant events. • Developed relationships with more than 200 area community partners fostering better communication and increased appropriate referrals. • Identified and implemented procedural and contractual adjustments resulting in a 300% funding increase during the course of one year. • Composed and presented 15-hr job readiness curriculum tailored to the unique needs of single mothers, homeless individuals, ex-offenders, and job seekers with significant barriers to employment. • Provided case-management services to job placement customers: assessed strengths and skill areas, created development plans, prepared resumes, researched job leads, and provided support and follow-up services. • Served as agency’s Spanish-speaking liaison: translated materials, interpreted meetings with clients, and built relationships with Latinx community leaders.

St. Louis, Missouri

• Interpreted spoken Spanish < > English in medical settings. Retained professional tone and accuracy in interpretation through careful word choice.• Maintained a high standard of confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA regulations.• Completed a 40-hr “Bridging the Gap” Medical Interpreter training as well as a 36-hr Mental Health Interpreter Certificate Program

Greater St. Louis Area

• Created and presented English Language instruction to learners of a wide range of cultural / linguistic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and ages (17-85). • Participated in the creation and piloting of the Missouri Adult Learner Content Standards; Created a matrix of life skills relevant to Adult Basic Education and determined corresponding English language capacities by learner level.