The Soulshine Journey is about my own experience in learning to embrace the natural unfolding of life, one moment at a time. You can check out my blog (or join me on facebook) to follow my experience of living by the ocean, meditating, writing and being open to Rumi's "what you seek is seeking you." ~ Thank you for joining the journey!

Independent contractor writing web content and maintaining social media for local non-profit. Also managed part of Annual Appeal, provided staff training, provided consulting services and assisted in other ways through the course of contract.

Zoom Group is a dynamic non-profit that has a mission of helping adults with developmental disabilities experience a sense of belonging in our community. My role is to empower our staff as they provide creative and cutting-edge supports.

Supervised the Crisis Prevention Team and oversaw a wide array of Crisis Prevention related programs such as LIHEAP, Summer Food Program, Emergency Assistance, Heat Relief (fans and air conditioners) and a Dare to Care Emergency Food Site.Managed multiple Metro Louisville Programs with a combined budget of over 8 million dollars.Served approximately 30,000 Louisville Metro Citizens through the LIHEAP program in a period of 6 months.Supervised 15 staff and 20 volunteers. Trained and coordinated over 60 additional Metro employees to assist with LIHEAP benefit processing.Developed relationships with other agencies to enhance accessibility and begin a long-term collaborative partnership. Began a LIHEAP strategic planning process.Enhanced relationship with LG&E and other area vendors.Served on Winterhelp and Affordable Energy Boards of Directors.Enhanced relationship with state monitoring agency. LIHEAP State Audit was successful with zero findings.Studied neighboring LIHEAP programs to research betters ways for implementing our program.Also managed Emergency Assistance, Summer Cooling and Summer Food Service Programs.Used the FISH! model to create an upbeat and successful employee culture

Developed new project initiative called Team HOPECoordinated Case Management for citizens with multiple barriers to success including homelessness, unemployment, lack of health care, mental illness, lack of education and training, felony backgrounds and/or addiction issues.Developed partnerships and relationships with agencies for training and support services.Worked with potential employers to assist with job placement.Responsible for reporting team outcomes.Developed a Self-Development Curriculum for clientsServed as team coordinator and handled escalated client issues and crisis.Conducted staff training on Crisis Prevention.Received the ACE Award (employee of the year) in May 2010

Empowering Individuals with developmental disabilities and autism as they recognize their strengths, contribute to their community and pursue their dreams.Oversaw the Supports for Community Living Waiver & Michelle P. Waiver programs at Dreams With Wings. Ensured compliance with Medicaid & all state policies and regulations. Responsible for all aspects of compliance and monitoring.Assisted in program development in all areas of services provided.Served as agency representative to various community groups.Represented the agency to groups in the community by being available for speaking engagements, information fairs, etc.Developed Trainings on the following topics: Individualized Planning and Rights: Safeguarding Rights During the Individualized Planning Process; Respecting the Adults We Serve: Techniques on Providing Respect Based Supports; Reaching For Dreams: The Art and Science of Documentation; Teambuilding: Putting the Personalities Together; Medicaid Compliance: The Do’s and Don’ts; Why Am I Here?: An In-Depth Personal Growth Experience; Listening: Changing the Way We Work; Empathy: A Different Perspective; Self-Care: It Matters!Conducted training at specific site locations to address areas specific to a smaller group of employees.Developed New Employee Orientation that met both agency needs & state regulations.Implemented ways to encourage, reward, motivate and renew staff.Recruited, screened and hired staff. Reprimanded, disciplined and dismissed staff as necessary.Worked with key staff to develop innovative community programming.Maintain a working knowledge of situations of all individuals served by Dreams With Wings.On-call nights & weekends to handle emergency situations.Ensured that individuals received needed services in a timely manner & were approved for all Medicaid eligible services.Conduct bi-weekly staff meetings.Coordinated annual Jack O’ Lantern Stroll Fundraising Event including sponsors, volunteers, media & community partners

Enhanced skills in customer relations, sales and event planning. Sold the Galt House Brand to bring large conventions to the hotel.Assisted customers in event planning – from menus to room set-up.Worked with a diverse team of employees to ensure successful events.

Provided comprehensive Case Management to individuals with HIV/AIDS.Provided primary case management for a caseload of over 120 people, including individuals with mental illness, alcohol and/or drug addictions and/or homelessness. Worked to enable consumers to live as independently as possible. Also worked to insure that individuals had access to healthcare and medications.Made referrals and worked with other community service providers in order to secure needs including, but not limited to, housing, utilities, money management, drug and alcohol services, counseling, legal issues, nutrition and community support. Helped clients access medication through federal and state prescription programs.Served on state training committee with representatives from other regions to plan statewide HIV/AIDS Care Coordinators Trainings.Led various seminars for staff. Some topics covered were Housing Resources, Team Building, Prejudice Reduction and Conflict Resolution.Represented program to the general public and other organizations through speaking engagements

Provided Case Management to help familes move from the homeless shelter to a life of self-sufficiency.Provided case management and referrals to homeless families with the goal of helping them return to self-sufficiency and long-term housing. Barriers included drug and alcohol use, lack of job training or job support, mental illness, varying physical and developmental disabilities.Developed a strong understanding of Section 8, Housing Authority of Louisville and other community resources.Provided crisis intervention and managed day-to-day shelter operations during shifts.Provided mediation for residents and other staff. Conducted Conflict Resolution and Prejudice Reduction classes for residents. Assisted residents with learning to live together in close quarters with 20 other families.Served on the Coalition for the Homeless planning committee for Camp Golden Bear.Developed programming for children in the shelter during summer months.

Had an incredible few months of meeting people from around the world and telling the Louisville Slugger Story. If you haven't been there you should check it out!