LOUIS A. RAFTI
Woodstock,IL
Summary
Accomplished [Job Title] skillful in assessing business conditions and developing optimization plans to drive key improvements. Excellent [Industry] knowledge with expertise in reviewing business practices, competitor activities and personnel management policies to make proactive changes. Good relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Board of Directors Member
Circle of Hope, Inc.
Woodstock, Illinois
01.2020 - Current
- Non-profit organization providing assistance and advocacy for access to Healthcare for persons infected or affected with HIV/AIDS and other serious medical conditions.
Solo practitioner
Louis A. Rafti, Attorney at Law
- Civil Rights, Fair Housing
Housing Attorney
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- Conducted legal research and development of lawsuits for Civil Rights, Fair Housing, Habitability, and Community Redevelopment Act, causes of action
- Coordinated co-counsel
- Represented low income, disabled, and/or Federally Subsidized tenants in Unlawful Detainer and Administrative (Section 8 and HUD) hearings
- Primary contact for all cases involving clients with mental illness.
Staff Attorney Homelessness Prevention Law
Public Counsel
Los Angeles, CA
- This non-profit, 501(c)3 organization utilized a clinical approach that combined legal with social work to accommodate the special needs of their clients
- In several different positions and during the entire time I worked there I worked closely with Social workers [MSWs] qualified to provide supervision and side by side with Social Worker interns who they supervised.
Project Coordinator/Homelessness Prevention Law Project
Public Counsel
- Coordinated Public Counsel’s General Relief Advocacy Project; supervised law students in Administrative hearings for persons unlawfully denied or terminated from government benefits; enforced and monitored the settlement terms of (LA City v
- LA County) lawsuit, and reported findings annually to the Los Angeles County Commission of Public Social Services.
Law Fellow/Homelessness Prevention Law Project
Public Counsel
- Worked with Residential and outpatient programs’ Social Workers to dismiss clients’ criminal charges through Los Angeles Homeless Court in consideration of time spent in rehabilitation
- This program successfully facilitated re-entry to the workforce, as well as a considerable reduction in recidivism for at-risk populations.
Intern/Extern
HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA)
Los Angeles, CA
- Conducted client interviews; referred clients to HALSA, or other attorneys, and AIDS service organizations; research on discrimination, consumer rights, disability benefits, and immigration; drafted memoranda; and filed complaints with administrative agencies
Literacy Coordinator
Cri-Help, Inc.
North Hollywood, CA
- Administered an adult literacy program; assisted with client activities; HIV services; and grant proposals for residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program; Los Angeles County’s HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force representative to CAEAR (“Communities Advocating for Emergency AIDS Relief”) Coalition Washington D.C.
Treatment Navigator/Peer Recovery Counselor
New Directions Addiction Recovery Services
Woodstock, IL
- For “A Way Out Program,” a State of Illinois Attorney’s Office program that assists persons suffering from Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) to access appropriate Detox, Inpatient, Outpatient, or Mental Health treatment, and recovery housing
- I increased the number of persons able to successfully access treatment from an average of six (“6”) per month to over thirty (“30”) per month; developed a comprehensive network of Detox and treatment referral resources; and, revised, improved and expanded monthly reporting.
Sustainability Research Assistant
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
- Research, implementation, and quantification of Sustainability Programs and Projects
- Working relationships with Shed Aquarium and local govt
- Agencies.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Southwestern Law School
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of California
McHenry County College
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
Tel
815.307.6326
Volunteer Experience
- Open Door Clinic, Board of Directors Client Advisory Board Member, 08/2018, Present, Responsible for coordination of communications between the Board of Directors and staff and clients of a non-profit 501(c)3 AIDS Services Organization., Elgin & Aurora, IL
- Center for Living & Learning, Board of Directors, 06/2007, 07/2011, Non-Profit 501(c)3 Charity; Auto Donation/Job Training for persons with disabilities; and persons transitioning from incarceration., Van Nuys, CA
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Board of Directors Member
Circle of Hope, Inc.
01.2020 - Current
Solo practitioner
Louis A. Rafti, Attorney at Law
Housing Attorney
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Staff Attorney Homelessness Prevention Law
Public Counsel
Project Coordinator/Homelessness Prevention Law Project
Public Counsel
Law Fellow/Homelessness Prevention Law Project
Public Counsel
Intern/Extern
HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA)
Literacy Coordinator
Cri-Help, Inc.
Treatment Navigator/Peer Recovery Counselor
New Directions Addiction Recovery Services
Sustainability Research Assistant
McHenry County College
Juris Doctor -
Southwestern Law School
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of California
McHenry County College
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery