At Sweeney Grants & Consulting, I guide organizations towards operational excellence & growth. I collaborate with leaders on strategic planning, tackle challenges, & optimize performance through data-driven insights.Expertise:• Strategic Planning & Implementation: Align objectives, drive results.• Performance Optimization: Boost efficiency, achieve best practices.• Grant Writing & Fundraising: Secured over $800k in new grants (2023).• Program Evaluation & Improvement: Ensure programs deliver measurable outcomes.Impactful Achievements:• MN Non-Profit Evaluation Capacity (MJB & OCDR): Strengthened evaluation for data-driven decision-making for Community Dispute Resolution Programs (CDRPs).• Empowering Non-Profit Leaders: Developed impactful strategies for focused service delivery.• Equity-Based Housing Stability Framework (Community Mediation Minnesota): Promoted inclusivity in housing stability.• Process Evaluation (The Bridge for Youth): Enhanced contract management and program evaluation to improve services for youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability.• Program Evaluation and Design: Developed 10+ logic models, theories of change, and long-term evaluation plans.Let's Connect! I'm passionate about driving positive change through strategic consulting & collaboration.

Fueled by a desire to make a lasting social impact, I thrived as Program Executive for Youth & Family Housing and Homeless Services at the YMCA of the North. Leading the development and operational leadership of comprehensive programs, I directly impacted the lives of over 8,500 marginalized youth and families. My strategic focus on human-centered leadership fostered a 75% increase in program participation, a testament to the effectiveness of our initiatives.Financial Stewardship & Growth:Effective leadership extends beyond programs. I secured government, foundation, and private funding, expanding the annual operating budget from $500k to $5.5 million. This strategic resource allocation aligned perfectly with the YMCA's mission. Additionally, I led a team of 45 full-time personnel, fostering their growth through coaching and mentoring, creating a competent and dedicated team.Collaboration & Efficiency:Building strong partnerships is key. I actively collaborated with cross-sector and cross-functional teams to streamline funding processes and reporting systems, improving efficiency and allowing us to serve more individuals. To ensure data-driven decision making, I championed the development of internal tools for tracking program outcomes, ensuring compliance and continuous program improvement.Legacy of Impact:My unwavering commitment to the YMCA's core values of building healthy bodies, minds, and spirits is reflected in the lasting legacy of my work. The improved services and organizational growth I helped achieve directly impacted countless lives in need.

In my role as Youth Support Program Director at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, I spearheaded efforts to combat youth homelessness across Suburban Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka Counties. I oversaw a multifaceted program designed to provide disenfranchised youth and young adults with access to safe housing and critical support services. This included leading outreach efforts, both on the streets and in schools, to connect with young people experiencing homelessness and instability. Additionally, I managed a comprehensive suite of housing programs that addressed diverse needs. The Young Parenting Program provided stable housing and support for young parents starting their families. The Scattered-Site Transitional Living Program offered a bridge to independent living for young adults experiencing homelessness. The Rapid Re-Housing Program expedited placement into permanent housing solutions, while the Communities Host Home Program of Anoka County provided safe, temporary housing with dedicated volunteer families. Through these comprehensive programs, my teams played a key role in creating a safety net for marginalized young people and empowering them to build brighter futures.

As a Youth Support Specialist, I provided school outreach and case management to homeless, at-risk or precariously housed youth in the Northwest Hennepin & Anoka County suburbs.

As Head Start Family Advocate, my purpose was to provide quality comprehensive child & family support services to low-income preschoolers and their families by providing health & educational support, training, and case management to assist parents in meeting their children's needs while enhancing their own.Some essential functions of my position included thorough case documentation and maintenance of confidentiality, recruitment and enrollment of eligible children and families into the Head Start program, family and child developmental & needs assessments, family assistance and goal/plan development, provision of health screenings, immunization verification and updates, home visits and family partnership conferences, agency referrals, planning and facilitation of family meetings and parent involvement events, conducting outreach and locating/maintaining community resources and partnerships, organization and participation of staffings, and a variety of other administrative duties.

Worked closely with a collaborative team of social workers and direct family & youth support workers to provide wraparound services for youth in foster care.