Open To Work
Christine Lesmeister
Berkeley Food & Housing Project
Antioch,CA
1
Certification
22
years of post-secondary education
10
Years of experience
Compassionate Homeless Intake Specialist experienced in behavioral health and community outreach. Achieved impactful outcomes through peer support, crisis intervention, and comprehensive case management for individuals facing mental health challenges. Committed to enhancing community well-being through advocacy, education, and dedicated support for vulnerable populations.
Work History
Veteran Outreach Specialist
3 Years 6 Months- Outreached to Homeless Encampments searching to serve veterans that are homeless to get them off the streets and into housing. Provided housing services completed intakes. Transported veterans to VA appointments, Housing, Hotels and provided food and supplies. Worked with the VA system and HMIS to enroll veterans who has honorably served our country.
Veteran Housing Specialist
4 Years 9 Months- Promoted to Veteran Housing Specialist
- Searched for affordable Housing established strong relationships with landlord and veterans.
- Permanently housed Veteran and families into sustainable housing. Collaborated closely with HUD VASH VA and the housing authority of contra costa county with assisting veterans with vouchers. Preformed housing inspections Assisted with housing documents with property management for move ins. Provided extra on going services after housing the veteran assisted wit furniture supplies and food connected vets with other resources as needed. Checked in with veterans weekly with additional case management and mental wellness checks typically 16+ case load. Housing success rate high I have a genuine compassion to help house our veterans.
- Identified and recruited landlords and brokers to provide suitable and affordable units to meet clients' needs.
- Explained rental and housing regulations to clients and helped each discover best options for housing.
- Negotiated with landlords and real estate agents to obtain vacant apartments for clients with histories of homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse, occupying over [Number] apartments by providing direct, hands-on support services.
- Reviewed documentation and input data into computer system to complete eligibility process, re-certifications and tenant move-outs.
- Met with housing residents and landlords to answer questions, address concerns, and clarify policies and procedures.
- Maintained database of housing resources, landlords, and management companies.
In-Home Caregiver
2 Years 10 Months- Provided In home care for elderly and sick. Ensured home was clean bathed and fed assisted with medication taking on time, Took blood pressure readings assisted with breathing equipment. Ensured overall health and mental health was in a healthy safe stae at all times.
- Assisted disabled clients to support independence and well-being.
- Completed entries in log books, journals, and care plans to accurately document and report patient progress.
- Kept close eye on behavior and emotional responses of clients to address concerns and protect each person from harm.
- Followed nutritional plans to prepare optimal meals.
- Provided transportation and appointments management.
- Cooked tasty, nourishing meals for patients to promote better nutrition.
- Assisted patients with dressing, grooming and feeding needs, helping to overcome, and adapt to mobility restrictions.
- Helped patients safely transition between sleeping surfaces and mobility assistance such as wheelchairs by providing consistent support.
- Provided mobility assistance such as walking and regular exercising.
- Provided patients with assistance in completing daily tasks, reducing daily burden on family members.
- Coordinated daily medicine schedules and administration to help clients address symptoms and enhance quality of life.
- Traveled to clients' homes to complete healthcare services and promote continuity of care.
- Checked vital signs on daily basis and contacted supervisor regarding patient health concerns or behavioral changes.
- Monitored client health by performing routine pulse, temperature and blood pressure checks.
Recovery Facilitator
3 Years 7 Months- Assisted Others with Inpatient recovery and counseling. Assisted with daily medication. Drove clients to appointments and 12- step meetings. Mentored others in addiction recovery as a Sponsor and aided as court advocate.
Experience Consultant
1 Year 3 Months- Worked on a workforce accelerator fund as a experienced consultant for the homeless services systems alignment. Attended weekly staff meetings with group working on solutions to the homeless in the community with funding and planning. Worked closely with Shelter Inc, Rubicon, Hope Solutions, Self Help For The Elderly, Adult Education Services and EDD Job Club As a group with the Work Force Development Board. As to creating platforms Ideas and decisions to the community grant.
- Worked with internal matrix partners to triage issues and submit work requests.
- Devised data visualization dashboards to make complex data more accessible to stakeholders.
- Tracked key metrics and developed spreadsheets and data models.
- Developed questionnaires and facilitated focus group discussions.
- Utilized specialized software to capture and process data.
- Conducted primary and secondary research to better understand customer needs and behaviors.
H3 Services - Outreach Specialist
1 Year 1 Month- CORE OUTREACH Contra Costa County Homeless Program Outreach Specialist/ Data Entry/ Dispatch in H3 Health , Housing and Homeless Services. Did Data Entry in Contra Costa County HMIS Systems. Dispatched incoming calls through 211 Homeless crisis hotline performed Intakes in the system and Referrals to contra coats county programs. Duties Include: Dispatch, Office Data Entry And Outreach Specialist duties out in the field of the homeless Community population. Handled crisis intervention and mental health issues between clients performed Norcan when needed and have CPR skills when necessary.
- Coordinated with local government to provide resources to clients.
- Improved clients' coping with routine life activities such as food budgeting and rental payments.
Merchandiser
3 Years 5 Months- Time managed my own store visits and scheduled my own drive route.
- Independent. And Self paced to routed stores representing Procter & Gamble and hostess bakery products. Built store displays end caps read Plano
- Grams. Worked with file maintenance Ensured all product tagged worked with all store managers ensuring all products order flow is ordered. Close business relations with store management and area manager.
- Sent Success pictures daily/weekly to the clients as displays and sales success!
- Independent. And Self paced to routed stores representing Procter & Gamble and hostess bakery products. Built store displays end caps read Plano
- Grams. Worked with file maintenance Ensured all product tagged worked with all store
Education
Associate's degree - Behavioral Health - Human Services
High school diploma
Skills
Mental Health Counseling
Crisis intervention
Case management
Intake Experience
Mental health advocacy
Working with individuals with developmental disabilities
Working with individuals with autism
Working with children
Health Housing & Homeless Services
Homeless services alignment
PTSD Care
Cognitive disabilities support
Special needs
Adults with developmental disabilities
Senior Care
W.R.A.P. CERTIFIED
SPIRIT CERTIFICATION
Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training
Program Implementation
Data entry and outreach
Microsoft Office
Microsoft 365 proficiency
Microsoft Word
Computer skills
Teamwork
Community Outreach
Workforce
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Budgeting/Record Keeping
Retail management
Direct assistance
Fair Housing regulations
Problem solving
Teaching
Behavioral Health
Conflict Management
Microsoft 365 proficiency
Microsoft Office
Computer skills
Community Outreach
Behavioral Health
Intake Experience
Conflict Management
Certification
- Basic First Aid certificate
- CPR Certification
- Driver's License
- Certified Recovery Specialist
Timeline
In-Home Caregiver
Bright Star Care Nursing Agency
01.2025 - 11.2027Read More
Veteran Outreach Specialist
BERKELEY FOOD AND HOUSING
05.2023 - CurrentRead More
Veteran Housing Specialist
Berkeley Food & Housing Project
02.2022 - CurrentRead More
Recovery Facilitator
La Casa Ujima Residential Services
01.2022 - 08.2025Read More
H3 Services - Outreach Specialist
HELUNA HEALTH - Contra Costa Health Services
09.2020 - 10.2021Read More
Experience Consultant
RICHMOND COMMUNITY FUND
08.2020 - 11.2021Read More
Merchandiser
Acosta Sales & Marketing
01.2018 - 06.2021Read More
Contra Costa College
Associate's degree from Behavioral Health - Human Services
11.2000 - 05.2022Read More
Pittsburg High School
High school diploma
Read More