Jorge Peña
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
Passionate Advocate for Social Justice and Affordable Housing, with over a decade of dedicated experience in empowering individuals facing social and emotional hurdles. Committed to guiding clients towards constructive solutions, Specializing in assisting them in navigating the complexities of daily life. The unwavering dedication to advocating for social justice and affordable housing underscores every aspect of my work, driving me to create positive change and empower those in need within communities we resided in.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Community Engagement
YMCA Of Chicago
12.2023 - Current
- Enhanced community engagement by developing and implementing strategic outreach initiatives.
- Fostered strong relationships with local organizations to create collaborative partnerships for community programs.
- Increased public awareness of organizational mission by organizing events, workshops, and presentations.
- Streamlined communication channels by creating and maintaining a comprehensive database of community stakeholders.
- Secured additional funding by writing compelling grant proposals and cultivating relationships with donors.
- Strengthened partnerships with local organizations for collaborative efforts in community development projects.
- Organized and led volunteer teams for various community service activities, resulting in increased participation and positive impact on the neighborhood.
- Promoted public awareness of organization''s mission through targeted marketing campaigns and media appearances.
- Increased access to essential services for underprivileged populations through targeted initiatives.
- Increased media coverage through targeted press releases and proactive media outreach.
Prevention and Diversity Coordinator
BUILD, Inc,
08.2020 - 12.2023
- Ensure BUILD, Inc. is building and maintaining high-quality relationships with community service providers to strengthen referral networks and meet the voluntary needs of clients.
- Developed Prevention Curriculum to promote a safe and healing environment by utilizing the principles and practices of trauma-informed care, harm reduction and positive community development in all aspects of work and community engagement, including crisis prevention, intervention, and deescalation.
- Encourage Restorative Justice methods as alternatives to traditional disciplinary consequences and encourage educational success.
- Assist the Senior Director of Strategy and the Director of Finance to monitor programs and budget.
- Ensures the development, submission and negotiation of contracts with governmental agencies and designated private funding foundations to maintain current and develop new program initiatives.
- Acts as the program’s liaison to the city Police Department, various task forces and committees, and provides systematic advocacy for the populations served.
- Understand and generate expertise on Pre-Trial Fairness Act implementation driven changes to pretrial system processing and advocate for BUILD, Inc. program requirements as needed.
- Build and motivate a culture of cohesion, learning, and improvement for BUILD, Inc. team
Complete performance evaluations for all direct reports and review performance evaluations for all project staff. - Support Senior Director and Housing Coordinator to build out housing program design, implementation, and partnership development.
- Ability build relationships with people from every community dealing with poverty across Chicago.
- Organized community events promoting social interaction among tenants, fostering a sense of belonging and creating a positive living environment.
- Facilitated ongoing communication between tenants and management staff through regular meetings and newsletters, enhancing overall community relations.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll and supervision for 20 staff members
Program Coordinator
La Casa Norte
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Conducted initial screenings/intake to determine a client's eligibility for program services
- Developed strategic plans for public housing operations, ensuring efficient use of resources and budget compliance.
- Managed program budget and met with Director of Finance for regular updates and to ensure proper spend downs, as necessary
- Mediated interpersonal problems between client's residents, and landlords and staff with program staff
- Provided guidance and counseling for post housing programming to client's after obtaining permanent housing and a source of income to start their independent living
- Conducted outreach to other agencies to provide additional and supplemental services in order better meet client's needs,
- Collaborated with local agencies to provide support services for residents in need, such as financial assistance and mental health resources.
- Partnered with legal agency to obtain documentation to secure independent living for refugee individuals
- Facilitated life skill groups to educate landlords on various issues to include but not limited to self-esteem, safety, parenting, childcare, nutrition, money management, credit counseling, home maintenance, and good housekeeping skills.
- Explained criteria for public housing and assisted eligible low-income families with application process.
- Organized community events that promoted positive interactions among client's and provided opportunities for social engagement.
- Worked closely with law enforcement agencies to address safety concerns and maintain a secure living environment for public housing residents.
Healing Justice Manager
Alliance Care 360
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Makes recommendations on the annual budget and may present the program's budget to the Board of Supervisors.
- Create and implement standard operating procedures to establish a quality of work that meets grant standards and program goals and objectives.
- Support all staff by training, coaching, delegating responsibilities and resources, providing feedback and performance evaluations creating a healthy work place.
- Develop and maintain relationships with potential partners across public, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations in community areas.
- Serve as the Alliance Care 360 representative at seminars, conferences, meetings, and presentations to share the Alliance Care 360's policy and advocacy agenda and keep the Alliance Care 360 informed of work being done in the community.
- Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
- Complete quarterly Periodic Performance reports for all Alliance Care 360 programs.
- Plan for the financial spend down of all Alliance Care 360 programs.
- Trained 10-12 new Guidance Counselors (GC)in the curriculum, as well as provided continuing education training to established GCs.
- Help develop individual and group counseling sessions for 150 students on how to overcome personal, social, and behavioral issues.
Child Welfare Specialist
DCFS, Casa Central
08.2015 - 08.2017
- Reviewed all case file and assessed case risk factors and eligibility for all cases on a regular basis
- Provided court testimony for individual child welfare cases, as required
- Conducted appropriate and necessary outreach to community partner in order furnish all client apartments
- Designed and implemented plans to ensure safety of special needs and/or at-risk children
- Provided assistance to case managers with all aspects of case planning and issue resolution.
Education
Master of Arts - Social Work
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL05.2024
Bachelor of Arts (B.A - Criminal Justice & Sociology
University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA05.2015
Skills
- Microsoft / Google Suite Proficient Excellent Communication Skills
- Performance Tracking and Evaluations
- Intervention Planning
- Community Mental Health Programs
- Crisis Situations
- Motivational interviewing
- Individual and Group Therapy
- Affordable Housing
- Community Outreach Experience
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Community Engagement
YMCA Of Chicago
12.2023 - Current
Prevention and Diversity Coordinator
BUILD, Inc,
08.2020 - 12.2023
Program Coordinator
La Casa Norte
08.2019 - 08.2020
Healing Justice Manager
Alliance Care 360
12.2017 - 05.2019
Child Welfare Specialist
DCFS, Casa Central
08.2015 - 08.2017
Master of Arts - Social Work
Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A - Criminal Justice & Sociology
University of Dubuque