We live in a culture where families are challenged with problems all the time. Regardless of what the problems may be, families need help developing skills to communicate effectively and strengthen their relationships. While most individual can recognize that their families need help, they frequently are not adequately prepared to help their families make needed changes. Obtaining a Masters of Arts in Family and Consumers Science- Family Studies Concentration will help me to help others prepare for change and ultimately achieve both my short-term and long-term goals.
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In the short term, I hope to work my way up to become the Lead Housing Resource Specialist at Community Rebuilders. Currently, I’m a Housing Resource Specialist. This experience has created a passion in me to work in the family studies field and learn more about it. A key component that I have found common among all of my clients is that they all wish they could have been prepared for their problems. That tells me that if my clients had prevention methods in place, their problems may not have been a major problem to begin with. Family Life Education works from the prevention model because it teaches individuals and families how to improve family life and to prevent problems before they occur. Family problems, when they can be addressed through prevention, are less damaging for people and less expensive for society.
My long term goal is to help educate families as an Executive Director of a non-profit agency. While studying for the Masters program, I hope to develop the education and skill-set in order to reach my goals. I want to become an effective and innovative professional who can provide effective education and prevention services for families through services my agency can provide. I want to become an individual of high moral and ethical standards whose agency can function as a change agent in my community.
Studying for the Masters of Arts in Family and Consumer Science- Family Life Education is a wonderful opportunity because I will be able to learn the different parts of the family and learn to see how they function as a whole. The Fundamentals courses should give me the framework, while the advanced courses will provide a more specific training. During study, I will also look to take an internship and/or supplemental classes to help further my experience. It is the ability to understand the many different aspects of the family that will prepare me to accomplish my long-term goal of becoming an Executive Director. Equally important, I hope to learn from my fellow students and share with them some of the lessons I have gained from my experience. The best lesson I have learned while working at Community Rebuilders is to step out of the box and think of new solutions to old problems. These creative moments are what will move a family forward during hard times. I expect that graduate work at Western Michigan University will be demanding, challenging, and exciting, and I look forward to attending. During my time in graduate school, I expect to receive the opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve as a person and a family life educator. I am prepared and look forward to investing myself, my time, and my energy toward earning that degree. I hope I will be allowed to do so at WMU.
TOMARA L. MITCHELL
____________________________________________________________________________________
3841 Yorkland Drive NW Apt. No. 9
Comstock Park, MI 49321
(616)337-1852
Profile
Seeking a position which will enable me to utilize interpersonal and leadership skills to positively impact social issues affecting families. Interact effectively with people of varying cultures, backgrounds and professional levels. Committed to establishing connection and building strong relationships with all people. Skilled at identifying strengths and weaknesses in strategies and in creating compassionate and non-judgmental solutions to problems. Proven to be highly motivated and hard working. Possess excellent time management skills.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/General University Studies- April 2009
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Minor: Social Work
Related Coursework:
Crises and Resilience in Families
Social Work Services and Professional Roles
Social Welfare as a Social Institution
Intro to Culture, Ethnicity, and Institutionalized Inequality in Social Work Practice
Social Work Research Methods
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
Group Community and Organizational Behavior
Child Psychology
Global Ecology of the Family
Employment Experience
Community Rebuilders, Grand Rapids, MI February 2010 -Present
Housing Resource Specialist
Operate assigned rapid re-housing and prevention programs
Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice
Assist participants in development of strength-based goal and action plans that promotes permanent housing
Provide counseling and advocacy to participants
Facilitate and coordinate supportive service activities for participants
Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants
Hope Network, Grand Rapids, MI October 2009 – March 2010
Community Living Support
Provided direct supervision to individuals in residential programs.
Displayed appropriate behavior and teaches life skills to residents.
Provided evaluation and instruction in areas of daily living skills or independent living skills to enhance the residents’ ability to reach his/her highest level of independence.
Muskegon Heights Public Schools, Muskegon Heights, MI, September 2009 – February 2010
On-Call Substitute Teacher
Followed lesson plans, left by the permanent teacher.
Created and maintained a climate of respect and fairness for all students.
Used classroom instructional time appropriately and wisely
Tax Connection Worldwide, Muskegon, MI, January 2009 – March 2009
Seasonal Tax Preparer
Prepared customers federal and state returns
Provided customer service by quickly and effectively processing transactions to ensure return business and customer satisfaction
Answered multi-line phones, greeted customers and performed light clerical work
MOKA Inc., Grand Haven, MI, July 2006 – January 2008
Resident Support Staff
Supporting small groups of developmentally disabled and/or mentally ill individuals in residential setting
Teaching skills with the goal of independent living.
Heritage Community, Kalamazoo, MI, September 2005 – December 2005
Personal Care Assistant
Provided comprehensive, quality patient care in the area’s top retirement community
Used acquired formal knowledge and skills
Represent the concerns of the resident and their family
Collaborate with team members towards the development and achievement of optimal resident goals.
Family and Children Services, Kalamazoo, MI, February 2005 – July 2005
Respite Care Worker
Managed small group home-like setting for children 4 – 17 with severe emotional and/or developmental disabilities
Served as role model, encouraged and supported personal behavioral growth and helped develop professional and life skills
Maintained healthy environment, inventoried and ordered supplies, and complied with local and state regulations
Lowe’s Home Improvement, Portage, MI, July 2003 – December 2004
Customer Service Representative
Provided customer service by quickly and effectively processing transactions to ensure return business and customer satisfaction
Informed customers of new items and promotions that were available to improve the customer shopping experience
Completed paperwork, handled cash, answered phones, and transferred calls when needed.
Muskegon Heights Public, Muskegon Hts., MI, September 2001 – July 2002
Office Assistant/ Summer Program Tutor
Answered multi-line phones, greeted customers and performed light clerical work
Acquired high level of communication skills and learned to quickly assess and expedite customer needs.
Ran tutoring sessions on daily basis for elementary aged kids during summer school program
Graded work weekly and tracked individual progress
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