Recent Projects
Founder of a grassroots leadership training retreat
Art of Leadership Retreat & Peer Program Summit, 2005 & 2006
Created a 4-day training retreat focused on community, creativity, and skill-building for staff, board, and volunteers at grassroots programs. Designed, created, and oversaw all aspects of this event. Coordinated trainings with guest trainers and peer leaders. 100% of participants reported they would recommend this training to others; 93% said their programs would change as a result of this event.
Co-founder of Virginia’s first peer-to-peer recovery survey
ROSI Pilot Project, VOCAL Network & CELT, 2005-2006
Co-founded a recovery survey project, where people with “mental illness” were trained and hired to interview their peers on their needs and experiences in the mental health system. Designed project plan, raised grant funding, and initiated a collaboration between two organizations to lead this project. This project conducted research at 37 sites across the state. Wrote and presented research outcomes.
Co-founder of a mental health disability rights program
Mental Health Planning Council & VOCAL Network, 2004-Current
Co-founded a program dedicated to transforming the mental health system in Virginia. Co-led a planning team of mental health leaders throughout the state. Successfully secured both state and federal grants to start this program. Designed program plan, helped launch program, and served as ongoing leadership advisor.
Proposal writer for a mentorship project for
low-income young people of color
Community Bikes Youth Mentoring, Charlottesville, VA, 2004
This grassroots community group was surviving on a few hundred dollars a year, donated space, and a small group of dedicated volunteers. They had tried several times to (unsuccessfully) apply for foundation funding. Worked with board members to design mentorship project and craft a proposal. This group successfully received 3 foundation grants within the next year.
Co-leader of a self-help grants program
Two People Two Chairs, VOCAL CO-OP, VA, 2004-Current
Co-coordinated a mini-grant program for self-help projects. This program successfully established 14 new projects - including a bilingual hotline; an art & performance coffee house; a free clothing “thrift shop”; a recovery speaker’s bureau; and a job skills training series.
Grant reviewer for federal & association grants
NCSTAC, National Mental Health Association, 2003
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, 2005
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006
As a grant proposal reviewer for foundation and community grants, helped determine how millions of dollars in funding were spent. Reviewed proposals for demonstration projects for community-based care for youth; programs serving older adults with mental illness; and for peer-run mental health programs throughout the country.
Co-founder of statewide recovery education program
Recovery Education And Creative Healing (REACH), 2003
Designed and helped create a new statewide recovery education program dedicated to promoting self-discovery, improving life skills, and investing in personal recovery. Researched and designed program plan, budget, staffing plan, and program goals, and secured a 6-year grant.
Organizational Consultant
Virginia Organization of Consumers Asserting Leadership, 2000-Current
Collaborated to help transform this organization from a small new group with one staff person into a strong statewide organization with over 350 members and . Helped develop organizational infrastructure and wrote and designed proposals - increasing organizational funding by 583%. 2000-Current.
Educator
Various times & locations
Nonprofit workshops: Leadership Skills, Grant Writing, Creating Workshops, Staff Development, Exploring Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/ Transgender Issues in the Mental Health System, and Truth At Work: Truth Telling & Truth Seeking for Organizations.
Workshops in Other Areas: Sacred Arts Workshops, Holistic Teen Sexuality Education, English as a Second Language, Women’s Health, Creative Writing, Nonfiction Writing & Literary Arts.
