Heather Lena
West Harrison,USA
Summary
To provide and enhance the quality of life of residents and to work within a team environment to accomplish this goal. Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Results-oriented activities professional with proven track record in creating and managing dynamic activities programs. Known for fostering collaborative team environment and driving high levels of participant engagement. Reliably adapts to changing needs and consistently focuses on achieving impactful outcomes. Expertise in event planning, team leadership, and participant engagement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Activities
Tarrytown Nursing and Rehab
Tarrytown, NY
02.2024 - Current
- Create a calendar of activities for 120 bed facility including 40 bed rehab unit. Purchase decorations and supplies. Attend all clinical care plan meetings and morning meetings daily. Assess each resident for recreational needs and create a plan of care. Organize and form a volunteer department. Assist in transport to/from activities. Run and organize activities of interest. Run monthly resident council meeting to assess residents needs and concerns. Adjust calendar according to residents needs/wants.
Activities Coordinator
The greens at Greenwich Assisted living
Greenwich, CT
08.2025 - 01.2026
- Collaborated with team members to develop creative and engaging activity programs that catered to the interests and needs of participants
- Managed all aspects of event logistics, including scheduling, budgeting, venue selection, vendor coordination, and participant registration
- Developed strong relationships with community organizations and local businesses to secure sponsorships and donations for events
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for off-site activities ensuring timely arrival at destinations while adhering to safety guidelines
- Provided guidance and support to volunteers assisting with activities by assigning tasks based on their skills and interests
- Organized themed parties incorporating decorations, music playlists or live entertainment suitable for different age groups or occasions
Direct Care Professional
Yeedi Chesed
Chestnut Ridge, NY
07.2022 - 01.2025
- Work with various clients young adults and children with various challenges to include Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and neurological difficulties. Go out to their homes to assist them in living a more independent lifestyle.. Provide emotional support, provide recreational therapy, training in regard to meal prep and shopping, ensure home is well stocked and in order, job search assistance, ADLs, and transportation to various activities and appointments in the community. Praise all efforts.
Director of Recreation-2010/Assistant Director/Recreation Therapist
UHGC
New Rochelle, NY
08.2003 - 07.2022
- Organized, planned, and implemented recreational activities. Created monthly activity calendars. Supervised staff and volunteers. Attended morning report, resident council, IDCC, CCP, and family meetings. Did CCP, e-chart, notes, and mds's for 44 bed rehab unit on optimus/emr. Ran activities on all units when needed. Drove residents on trips including concerts, museums, casino, and shopping. Planned fund raisers to help keep costs down. Balanced petty cash and department budget in a cost affective and responsible way.
Willow Towers Assistive Living
New Rochelle, NY
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Part of a start up assistive living community. Received training from Sunrise Community. Assisted in opening of facility, i.e. ordering supplies, picking out patterns, organizing rules and regulations/fire safety, planning room layouts. Assisted new residents moving in and helped them to adjust to facility. Drove residents on trips. Organized, planned, and implemented activity programs. Ran activity programs on the dementia unit and within the assistive living community. Attended all meetings and worked within a team environment.
Assistant Director of Recreation
Sound Shore Medical Center SNF
New Rochelle, NY
08.2001 - 08.2003
- Assisted in directing volunteers, interns, and Recreation assistant in daily tasks. Organized group and individual activities to provide sensory stimulation to those patients with cognitive impairments. Assessed new patient admits for rehab unit as well as completed weekly MDS, CCP, Quarterly's, etc. Attended weekly care plan meetings. Took patients out on trips, operated all equipment.
Case Manager
Providence House
New Rochelle, NY
03.2000 - 08.2001
- Assisted clients women and children living in a homeless shelter in day to day task, budgeting, cooking, shopping, finding housing in the community, caring for their children properly, enhancing their quality of life.
Education
M.S. - Recreation Administration
Lehman College
Bronx, NY01.2003
Master's degree - science education-Rec administration
Lehman College
B.A. - English
Manhattanville College
Purchase, NY01.1999
Skills
- Developmental Disabilities Experience
- Alzheimer's Care (10 years)
- Leadership
- Fundraising
- Group Therapy
- Bus Driving
- Recreational Therapy
- Care plans
- Writing skills
- Working with geriatric patients
Certification
- Driver's License
- CTRS February 2016 to March 2026
- First Aid Certification
- CPR Certification
Languages
English
Additional Information
QUALIFICATIONS CPR trained, Sigma Care, optimus/EMR trained, speak spanish, ability to drive bus and other vehicles on trips, a variety of training from various environments and backgrounds within the geriatric community.
Timeline
Activities Coordinator
The greens at Greenwich Assisted living
08.2025 - 01.2026
Director of Activities
Tarrytown Nursing and Rehab
02.2024 - Current
Direct Care Professional
Yeedi Chesed
07.2022 - 01.2025
Director of Recreation-2010/Assistant Director/Recreation Therapist
UHGC
08.2003 - 07.2022
Willow Towers Assistive Living
01.2003 - 01.2004
Assistant Director of Recreation
Sound Shore Medical Center SNF
08.2001 - 08.2003
Case Manager
Providence House
03.2000 - 08.2001
Master's degree - science education-Rec administration
Lehman College
B.A. - English
Manhattanville College
M.S. - Recreation Administration
Lehman College