Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteering
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Charlene Crooks

Chicago,IL
Charlene Crooks

Summary

Experienced Mental Health Professional with proven track record of helping clients improve mental health and well-being. Skilled in meeting the needs of individuals through interviewing, collaborating with therapists, conducting support groups sessions, coaching, mentoring and teaching life-skills . Passionate about helping people manage mental health and improve quality of life.

Overview

11
years of professional experience

Work History

Cornerstone Community Outreach

Mental Health Services Coordinator
08.2020 - Current

Job overview

  • Work collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide therapeutic services to clients.
  • Act as a liaison between clients and outside agencies providing mental health services
  • Develop goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
  • Display sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served from a racial, gender, sexuality, and ability equity lens
  • Consult with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
  • Organize in-house trainings to deliver trauma-related professional development
  • Create and edit written and visual training materials
  • Create and maintain partnerships with community agencies to provide effective wraparound services

Kingdom Tax Services LLC

Owner/Professional Tax Preparer
12.2018 - 04.2020

Job overview

  • Analyzed financial records to verify accuracy of tax returns.
  • Consulted with clients to assess and mitigate future tax liabilities and determine eligibility for tax abatement.
  • Prepared written responses or tax return amendments to resolve state and federal notices.
  • Calculated estimated tax payments for clients.
  • Offered clients recommendations to reduce tax liabilities.
  • Communicated with clients regarding tax situations, providing guidance on financial decisions.

Living Room Atlanta

Housing Specialist
01.2018 - 09.2018

Job overview

  • Worked for Living Room Atlanta which was an agency that exclusively served clients who were HIV/AIDS positive.
  • Interviewed clients for qualification to receive financial assistance from our agency
  • Connected clients to potential landlords to help the client to either establish new housing after homelessness or avoid becoming homeless

Kingdom Tax Services LLC

Owner/Professional Tax Preparer
12.2016 - 01.2018

Job overview

  • Analyzed financial records to verify accuracy of tax returns.
  • Consulted with clients to assess and mitigate future tax liabilities and determine eligibility for tax abatement.
  • Prepared written responses or tax return amendments to resolve state and federal notices.
  • Calculated estimated tax payments for clients.
  • Offered clients recommendations to reduce tax liabilities.
  • Communicated with clients regarding tax situations, providing guidance on financial decisions.

Friendship Place

Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager
11.2015 - 12.2016

Job overview

  • Provided supportive services to homeless adults with mental illness, addictions, and complex medical needs.
  • Provided services in the community and tin consumers' homes, spending approximately 80% of time in the field.
  • Fostered wellness and independence.
  • Engaged consumers and assessed individual needs, preferences and strengths.
  • Developed, implemented, and revised individual service plans with each consumer on caseload
  • Assisted consumer in locating and selecting wraparound services.
  • Monitored medical and psychiatric needs, and medication management.
  • Assisted consumers in securing adequate housing resources.
  • Acted as a liaison with landlords and other community stakeholders.
  • Collaborated with external agencies providing services to consumers.
  • Maintained monthly and quarterly reports.
  • Maintained consumer electronic records in the Housing the Homeless Database
  • Demonstrated empathy and flexibility in responding to consumers' needs and requests.
  • Conducted biopsychosocial assessments of each new client

Cornerstone Community Outreach

Special Projects Coordinator
05.2013 - 02.2015

Job overview


  • Attended service fairs and recruitment fairs to secure new volunteers
  • Planned and executed bi-monthly staff events
  • Provided training to volunteer groups
  • Planned and organized a successful citywide dine-out fundraising event
  • Managed administrative and clerical staff
  • Created and conducted presentations for volunteers and staff.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment
  • Managed and developed specific procedures and systems, such as filing scheduling, correspondence and communications

Genesis Shelter

Resident Manager
02.2012 - 04.2013

Job overview

  • Communicated shelter rules to clients and enforce rules as necessary.
  • Responded to questions and concerns from residents and refer complaints to the appropriate staff.
  • Created end-of-shift reports
  • Monitored the security and safety of the shelter
  • Intervened in crisis situations to obtain support for clients and reduce escalation or recurrence risks.

Education

Emmanuel College
Franklin Springs, GA

Bachelor of Science from Religious Studies

University Overview

  • Awarded 1st place in the Psychology Research Symposium for my research in "The Untold Story of the Victimization of Male Partners by their Female abusers in Intimate Partner Violence"
  • Extracurricular Activities: Leadership Initiative Participant, President of Multicultural Student Led Organization, Member of the Psychology Club.

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Master of Science from Psychology
06.2021

University Overview

  • Became a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success

Skills

  • Case Notes
  • Psychosocial Assessments
  • Coaching / Mentoring
  • Case Documentation
  • Group Sessions
  • Client Goal Planning
  • Mental Health Support
  • Community Mental Health Programs
  • Support Advocacy
  • Trauma-Informed Care

Volunteering

  • Rocked babies at a homeless shelter in their daycare facility to help ensure healthy development for babies at risk of failing to thrive
  • Built databases for the Red Cross to track individuals and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina so that they could be reunited with family
  • Former Ambassador Board Member for C4: The Community Counseling Centers of Chicago
  • Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency. Keynote graduation speaker.

Timeline

Mental Health Services Coordinator

Cornerstone Community Outreach
08.2020 - Current

Owner/Professional Tax Preparer

Kingdom Tax Services LLC
12.2018 - 04.2020

Housing Specialist

Living Room Atlanta
01.2018 - 09.2018

Owner/Professional Tax Preparer

Kingdom Tax Services LLC
12.2016 - 01.2018

Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager

Friendship Place
11.2015 - 12.2016

Special Projects Coordinator

Cornerstone Community Outreach
05.2013 - 02.2015

Resident Manager

Genesis Shelter
02.2012 - 04.2013

Emmanuel College

Bachelor of Science from Religious Studies

Walden University

Master of Science from Psychology

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Charlene Crooks