Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
Awards
Timeline
Generic
LAUREN PREKOP

LAUREN PREKOP

Ocoee

Summary

Results-driven professional with extensive experience in program management and community engagement. Known for delivering high-impact projects and fostering strong team collaborations. Adaptable and reliable, excelling in dynamic environments and consistently achieving targeted outcomes.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Coordinator-Outreach, Neighborhood Services

Orange County Government
01.2024 - Current
  • Oversees Yard of the Month and Yard of the Quarter programs- implementing and tracking outreach efforts and substantially increasing community participation. Facilitates Citizen Planner Academy workshop logistics and marketing while boosting engagement, monitoring attendance and evaluations, and emphasizing graduate track. Coordinates “Fixin’ up the Neighborhood”, a program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, providing exterior painting and repairs for residents; adjusts timeline and materials as needed for re-launch events. Collaborates on social media outreach and the refresh of logos and marketing materials. Conducts community outreach through public speaking, meetings, town halls, and tabling events. Tracks and maximizes all outreach outcomes for quarterly reporting and internal analysis using a comprehensive format in Excel. Ensures completion of conference committee tasks by team and plans for execution of annual event for 200 people.
  • Notables at Orange County Government
  • Co-coordinator for the annual Orange County Community Conference in 2025 & 2024
  • Presenter at commissioner townhalls and meetings
  • Selected presenter for the 2025 Neighborhoods USA National Conference
  • Selected presenter for the 2024 Mayor’s Citizen’s Academy
  • Nominated for the “Orange you Amazing” award

Regional Career Development Coordinator/Site Supervisor

HBI, Eckerd Connects’ Project Bridge
03.2018 - 01.2024
  • Oversaw placement coordinators- managing onboarding, training, and performance. Co-led site operations with contractor-ensuring youth safety and program compliance. Organized various events for youth- including mock interview days, college and career fairs, job shadows, community service, and art events. Made purchases and submitted vocational expense reports. Presented data to the Department of Juvenile Justice on a quarterly basis. Conducted outreaches tracking to ensure team hit goals for job placements and certifications. Reviewed and followed up regarding vocational files and electronic health records to ensure contract compliance. Compiled incident reports and supporting documents. Delivered job readiness training, secured community partnerships, in-kind donations, coordinated events, and developed employment opportunities. Utilized Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing with program youth who had special needs. Managed site van safety inspections and maintenance.
  • Awards & Achievements-HBI
  • Connected Project Bridge to a $10,000 grant, also on development team and awarding committee
  • Sunshine Award, 2021 and Standing Ovation Award, 2019
  • Implemented office recycling

Community Engagement Manager; formerly Program & Volunteer Manager

Foundation for Foster Children
09.2014 - 03.2018
  • Managed Fostering Success Grants, Celebration Program, Safe Space & Supplies Program, and annual Giving Trees across 30+ sites. Oversaw event, office, specialty, and summer intern volunteers; created a monthly volunteer newsletter reaching 500+ contacts and maintained an extensive volunteer database via Word Press. Executed events for foster children and families (20–900 attendees) such as water park outings, sporting events, and arts events. Created social media posts and website content including news, event recaps, and testimonials. Delivered “safe space” training for DCF investigators, tracked and reported program data, and developed policies and procedures for the newly created engagement role. Utilized a child tracking database for services to assist with philanthropy efforts.
  • Achievements at Foundation for Foster Children
  • Obtained a corporate sponsorship of $5,000, which resulted in a repeat annual sponsorship
  • 1,700 children and foster families were served through twelve events under purview in 2017 alone
  • Volunteer hours increased from 600 to 3,100+ annually
  • Partnered with businesses, schools, and more, resulting in $30,000 in in-kind donations
  • Sole staff member responsible for over 300 summer camp funding requests multiple years
  • Key writer for editorials about youth success stories, events, and volunteers on the website
  • Authored an article that was featured in the Winter Park Living Magazine
  • Implemented office recycling

Lead Adoption Specialist, Adoption Specialist, Case Manager

One Hope United
02.2010 - 09.2014
  • Supervised two adoption specialists, reviewed and approved home studies and files, and audited all documentation requirements, such as reference and background checks- striving for statutory timelines for permanency. Managed adoption and child protection caseloads, including court hearings, documentation, and service referrals. Led recruitment efforts for unmatched children; including children with special needs and physical and developmental disabilities. Attended adoption matching events and also had a child highlighted on the Forever Family segment on the news. Supported adoptive families through transition planning. Performed home visits, arranged and supervised parent/child and sibling visits, conducted family assessments, child evaluations, and safety and well-being assessments. Facilitated positive family outcomes and coordinated efforts with courts and community partners.
  • Awards & Achievements-One Hope United
  • Promoted twice during tenure
  • Re-initiated contractor program for home studies, increasing approved adoptive families
  • 2013-Star of the Quarter; 2012-Innovation Award; 2011-Star Award
  • 2012-2014-Employee Culture Committee Member
  • 2011- “Story of Hope” Contest Winner
  • Obtained over $1,100 in monetary and in-kind donations for the agency

Affiliate Marketing Assistant & Sales Representative

Westgate Resorts
03.2007 - 02.2010
  • Reported to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the call center
  • Took meeting minutes for the marketing meetings
  • Answered the phone and coordinated meetings for the Vice President and marketing directors
  • Managed and organized files
  • Sold vacation packages for HotelsCorp and Telemarketing teams and booked timeshare tours through inbound and outbound results

Case Manager-Child Welfare

Heston Social Services
06.2005 - 12.2005
  • Managed child protection cases for the children and families locality; offered permanent contract

Education

Master of Social Work - Children’s Services Track

University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication

University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida

Skills

  • Canva
  • Word Press
  • Community Engagement
  • Content Creation
  • Editorial Writing
  • Event Planning
  • Policy and procedure improvements
  • Proactive mindset
  • Program Management
  • Public speaking
  • Resource management
  • Strategic planning
  • Team oversight
  • Training coordination
  • Volunteer management

Accomplishments

    HBI

  • Connected Project Bridge to a $10,000 grant, also on development team and awarding committee
  • Implemented office recycling
  • Foundation for Foster Children

  • Obtained a corporate sponsorship of $5,000, which resulted in a repeat annual sponsorship
  • 1,700 children and foster families were served through twelve events under purview in 2017 alone
  • Volunteer hours increased from 600 to 3,100+ annually
  • Partnered with businesses, schools, and more, resulting in $30,000 in in-kind donations
  • Sole staff member responsible for over 300 summer camp funding requests multiple years
  • Key writer for editorials about youth success stories, events, and volunteers on the website
  • Authored an article that was featured in the Winter Park Living Magazine
  • One Hope United

  • Promoted twice during tenure
  • Re-initiated contractor program for home studies, increasing approved adoptive families
  • 2012-2014-Employee Culture Committee Member
  • Obtained over $1,100 in monetary and in-kind donations for the agency

Affiliations

  • Board Member, Foster Youth of America 2022-Present
  • Athena NextGen Women’s Networking & Leadership-Graduate 2018
  • Toastmasters-Technically Speaking Club 2015-2017 Best Evaluator, Best Speaker, Area Contest Winner (1st & 3rd places), Valor Award; also served as Club Officer
  • Orange County & Osceola County Children’s Cabinet Member 2015-2016
  • Youth Development Task Force, Osceola Children’s Cabinet 2015-2016

Certification

  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification 2023
  • Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification-American Red Cross 2023
  • Customer Service & Sales-NRF 2021
  • OSHA-30 Construction Certification 2020
  • Rollins College Volunteer Management Certification 2015
  • Devereux Adoption Competency Certification 2014
  • Florida Child Welfare Manager Certification 2010-2015

Awards

Orange County Government

  • Nomination for Orange You Amazing award-2024


HBI-Eckerd Connects' Project Bridge program

  • Sunshine Award, 2021-from contractor, Eckerd Connects
  • Standing Ovation Award, 2019-from HBI


One Hope United

  • 2013-Star of the Quarter; 2012-Innovation Award; 2011-Star Award
  • 2011- “Story of Hope” Contest Winner

Timeline

Program Coordinator-Outreach, Neighborhood Services

Orange County Government
01.2024 - Current

Regional Career Development Coordinator/Site Supervisor

HBI, Eckerd Connects’ Project Bridge
03.2018 - 01.2024

Community Engagement Manager; formerly Program & Volunteer Manager

Foundation for Foster Children
09.2014 - 03.2018

Lead Adoption Specialist, Adoption Specialist, Case Manager

One Hope United
02.2010 - 09.2014

Affiliate Marketing Assistant & Sales Representative

Westgate Resorts
03.2007 - 02.2010

Case Manager-Child Welfare

Heston Social Services
06.2005 - 12.2005

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication

University of Central Florida

Master of Social Work - Children’s Services Track

University of Central Florida