Project Specialist/Grant Writer

Compassionate and detail-oriented Funeral Assistant with experience in providing support to grieving families during funeral services. Skilled in arranging caskets, urns, flowers, and mementos, while ensuring that all aspects of the service are handled with care and respect. Adept at comforting family and friends, offering emotional support, and creating a calming presence during difficult times.Key responsibilities include:Collaborating with families to arrange personal items such as photos and mementos to honor their loved ones.Ensuring a professional and appropriate appearance at all times, in line with funeral home standards.Demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities to manage last-minute changes and requests efficiently.Providing excellent customer service with a focus on empathy and support for grieving individuals.Exhibiting strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with families, funeral directors, and other staff.Managing time effectively to ensure all aspects of the service run smoothly and on schedule.

Planned and coordinated the delivery of a vibrant activity program for seniors, including those with Dementia, Parkinson's disease, and physical limitations.Monitored the effectiveness of activities and updated them as necessary to satisfy clients current and diverse needs. Stayed within Texas HHS standards and regulations related to the program. Provided excellent customer service. Maintained relationships with all paid entertainment, including booking, confirming availability, and coordinating the payment process with the AGE finance department.Oversaw and coordinated individual volunteers and volunteer groups, including creating clear directions or schedules, arranging for necessary materials, and communicating any special event details. Stayed within budgetary limits. Encouraged members to participate in group activities and assist them as necessary and worked individually with members as needed. assisted in assessments for each incoming member, taking into account his/her physical, mental, and emotional condition. Participated in continuing education, in-service trainings, workshops, and seminars as instructed.

Provided life-enriching activities for residents that benefited them in every aspect of life; physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, creatively, spiritually and vocationally. Directed a Life Enrichment Program for seniors in an Assisted Living Facility.Developed caring and respectful relationships with residents. Communicated verbally and in writing with residents, staff, volunteers, and vendors.Co- produced a quality monthly newsletter including writing, uploading photos, and keeping set deadlines.Utilized Spectrio Lifeshare database to setup and monitor activities and publish a monthly/weekly calendar.Utilized Wingspan to post pictures and announcements on social media.Arranged and managed performers weekly.Recruited and coordinated volunteers to serve the residents.One of ten managers who rotated weekends as MOD, facilitated coverage of missing employees and supported ED in her vision for the facility.

Program Coordinator is responsible for the volunteer recruitment of children and adults in the Brainerd area who wish to participate in Kinship Partner’s mentoring program and pairing them to form positive, enduring relationships.Essential Functions:• Engages in strategic volunteer recruitment efforts to locate and increase pairings of adult mentors and children using a variety of methods and communication media.• Identifies children in the local community who are seeking an adult role model relationship through a variety of networking means including, but not limited to, schools, churches, social services agencies, and other youth-serving programs.• Interviews mentor candidates for the programs and pairs adults with children after a thorough background study, orientation and training are accomplished. Periodically contacts each match by phone or in person during the match, documenting all contacts in a database.• Develops working relationships with community leaders, agencies, and organizations in the community and maintain awareness of community resources.• Arranges, promotes and attends Kinship Partner organized activities for Mentors, Mentees, and children on our "waiting list".• Publishes a monthly activities newsletter for Mentors and Mentees.• Assists in fund-raising events; including set-up, registration, and check-out.

Co-directed with spouse for a Christian camp/convention center.