I have experience working with diverse populations in both crisis response and organizational management roles. I began volunteering with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP). I discovered that I loved doing this kind of hands-on, boots-on-the-ground type of work, and I loved working with volunteers.In my role as a TIP Volunteer Responder, I was responsible for responding to the scene of a tragic death, (suicide, natural cause, homicide, accident), or other traumatic events such as a house fire, car accident, domestic violence, rape, etc. to assist survivors in the first few hours of the tragedy. My role is to provide emotional and practical support such as emotional first aid, serving as a liaison between the family and emergency personnel, watching children while parents are interviewed, etc. I also leave my clients with grief literature, referrals to support groups and counseling services as well as our 24-hour number they can call for support. I finish each response by making a thorough and detailed report. Within 48 hours of the initial response, I do a follow-up call to see if the survivors have further needs that I can assist them with.Similarly, as a TIP Team Lead, I spend one week a month on-call 24/7 to answer our dispatch phone and send our volunteers to the location where first responders are requesting support. I act as a liaison between the volunteer at the scene and other agencies they might require, i.e. Red Cross, etc. After the volunteer is done, I debrief them and determine if they need more support or downtime before the next call. I also monitor the weekly schedule and fill shifts as needed. In May of 2021, when the TIP director had to step down and I was offered the role of Assistant Director, I jumped at the chance because I know how incredibly valuable this organization is to our community. In my time as Assistant Director, I have successfully written for grants and donations totaling more than $36,000. I have also helped assemble a new Board of Directors, increased our organization's staffing, and developed more thorough staff and volunteer training to better accommodate the need for efficient and empathetic trauma support in our community. I am also a National Trainer for Trauma Intervention Program. I have loved teaching our new volunteers emotional first aid and giving them all the tools they need for success. Watching them take those tools and help others has been a true highlight for me.