Itzel Hernandez

Program Coordinator | Café Salud Pilot Program
Supported by federal funding from DSAAPD, in collaboration with DHHS and CHEER Community Center

• Program Coordination & Community Outreach: Developed and implemented activities for 50+ Spanish-speaking community members, focusing on health and wellness, including mental health, bilingual classes, chair yoga, art projects, and crafts.
• Collaboration & Compliance: Worked closely with the state of Delaware nutritionist to ensure compliance with food regulations and guidelines for meal preparation and distribution.
• Partnership Building: Coordinated with other wellness organizations to introduce additional programming, enhancing the variety of services provided.
• Team Leadership: Managed a team of cooks and volunteers, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring smooth program delivery.
• Collaboration with Supervisory Roles: Worked directly under the Congregate Coordinator and Nutrition Coordinator, assisting with program oversight and ensuring alignment with overall program goals and guidelines.
• Social Media & Marketing: Created and managed the Café Salud Facebook page, designed flyers, and engaged with local Latino partnerships such as the ACLU to promote program initiatives and strengthen community outreach.
• Grassroots Outreach: Conducted grassroots outreach to the Latino community and local businesses, building relationships to promote program participation and support.

• Lesson Delivery & Student Engagement: Provided art lessons to students ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade, with a focus on various art techniques and principles.
• Curriculum Development: Emphasized the 7 elements of art to enhance students' understanding of foundational artistic concepts.
• Art History Integration: Engaged students with art history through PowerPoint presentations to expand their knowledge of artists, movements, and techniques.
• Classroom Guidance & Problem-Solving: Supervised the classroom, encouraging students to develop problem-solving skills while allowing creative freedom.
• Group Collaboration: Guided students in collaborative group projects to foster teamwork and cooperative learning.
• Classroom Management: Implemented effective classroom management strategies using the Responsive Classroom approach to create a positive learning environment.
• Professional Development: Participated in ongoing professional development to deepen understanding of Montessori teaching methods.

• Event Coordination: Assisted as an event coordinator for aerosol artist Misael Lopez at The Hive Gallery, helping organize exhibitions and events.
• Solo Project Initiation: Led solo projects that represented the city, showcasing local culture and artistic themes.
• Mural Creation: Completed 4 murals in 6 months, contributing to the local art scene and enhancing public spaces.
• Cultural Event Participation: Participated in the Día de los Muertos mural event for the Vallarta Institute of Culture, honoring Mexican traditions through art.
• Collaboration with Local Organizations: Collaborated with a fellow muralist at Casa Hogar orphanage shelter in Nayarit, MX, creating impactful art for the community.
• Commissioned Works: Completed commissioned artwork for AirBnB rental units, adding a unique artistic touch to the accommodations.

• Client Support: Assisted English and Spanish-speaking clients with food stamp applications, ensuring they received the appropriate assistance.
• Resource Referral: Referred clients to local food pantries, food banks, and additional resources such as WIC, Medicaid, and Meals on Wheels to meet their needs.
• Training & Policy Updates: Attended up-to-date trainings on federal policies to stay informed and ensure compliance with current regulations.
• Complex Case Management: Applied critical thinking skills to navigate more complex cases and assist clients through the food stamp process.
• Customer Service: Provided excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, ensuring a positive experience for clients.
• Organizational Contribution: Participated in the organization’s theory of change by helping to revamp their logic model, contributing to improved program outcomes.
• Data Management: Utilized Salesforce and ColoradoPeak to maintain accurate client data and ensure efficient service delivery.

Community Organizer | Growing Home
Denver, CO

• Community Needs Assessment: Identified the needs of the community by conducting one-on-one meaningful conversations with residents.
• Language Support: Provided interpretation services for Spanish-speaking community members, ensuring they had access to vital information and services.
• Workshop Facilitation: Facilitated workshops in collaboration with other local organizations, enhancing community education and engagement.
• Event Development: Assisted in organizing community events, including the development of a community garden to promote sustainability.
• Data Reporting: Tracked community success and progress by inputting data into spreadsheets to measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts.
• Food Pantry Support: Volunteered at the food pantry, ensuring families had access to necessary food resources when needed.
• Resource Accessibility: Provided accessible resources to underserved families, helping meet immediate and long-term needs.
• Leadership Development: Prepared community members to take on leadership roles within their teams, groups, or meetings, fostering a sense of empowerment.
• Event Organization: Organized materials and logistics for community events to ensure smooth execution.
• Policy Creation: Contributed to the creation of a Policy and Procedures Manual to improve program efficiency and consistency.