Raya Byers-Gilliam
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Conscientious Community Health Worker with extensive experience advocating for social and economic well-being of individuals and families. Expert at providing guidance, support and assistance. Strong communication and leadership skills. Collaborative and committed to addressing social issues to improve quality of life in marginalized communities.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
AmeriCorps Volunteer
City Of Philadelphia
2023.10 - Current
- Supported 754 Philadelphia residents facing barriers to accessing resources including but not limited to digital, economic, language, literacy, and disability-related deterrents.
- Assisted with special events and programs like Thanksgiving Food Distribution
- Connected residents to programs such as (ACP) Affordable Connectivity Program and resources like Philadelphia Water Department (TAP) Tiered Assistance Program and Raise Your Hand Initiative to prevent shut-offs .
- Conducted neighborhood outreach at local Libraries.
- Built City's capacity for strategic community engagement
Community-Based Doula
Maternity Care Coalition
2022.08 - Current
- Provided continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to parents before, during, and after childbirth
- Educated parents and families on pregnancy-related topics to inform and prepare for pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.
- Promoted benefits of breastfeeding and offered education on proper positioning, latching and breast care.
- Assisted with postpartum care and provided guidance on postpartum recovery.
Community Health Resource Navigator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2021.11 - Current
- Advocate and subject expert for IPV and Domestic Violence
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Referred 223 client/families to appropriate community agencies and organizations to meet social service needs between 2021 - 2023
- Built, leveraged and shared positive relationships and partnerships with various external and internal stakeholders to enhance community awareness and promote services.
- Created customized marketing materials to promote benefits of Evidence-Based Home Visiting to increase positive parenting outcomes.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Contributed to NNCC Employee Advisory and Community Advisory Boards as well as Family Advisory Council to develop and execute programs and initiatives to advance our organizational mission.
- Served as advocate and ambassador for organization by fully engaging, identifying, and securing resources and partnerships to increase program awareness.
- Provided perspective, insights and knowledge to team members across organization to increase diversity and inclusion in recruitment and service delivery.
Licensed Zumbini Instructor
Zumbini by Zumba & Baby
2018.08 - Current
- Instructed 45 min group classes for parents and children that create social bonding experiences through music during 6 week sessions
- Facilitated fun musical environment that focuses on energy, fun, and play to contribute toward natural development as well as increased cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development
- Communicate effectively with families, children and community partners to build relationships.
After-School Program Leader
Congreso de Latinos Unidos
2021.10 - 2021.12
- Directed day-to-day operations of After-school program and instructed 10-15 students in participation of structured activities
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social and emotional growth.
- Developed curriculum and lesson plans centered around Positive Action curriculum and project based learning concepts
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers and administrative staff.
Special Events Coordinator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2021.03 - 2021.11
- Organized and implemented Community Engagement events with as many as 100 guests.
- Facilitated communication between internal events personnel and external vendors to quickly resolve any conflicts or concerns.
- Negotiated favorable agreements with vendors and facilities to keep costs low and fulfill contract budget requirements.
- Coordinated efficient set-up and clean-up for each event for quick facilities turnarounds.
- Greeted patrons and participants at events to guide guests to locations and answer questions.
Early Childhood Education Home Visitor
Ummi Care
2003.10 - 2021.05
- Recruited families and built positive relationships with over 100 parents in order to support parenting roles.
- Coordinated resources and program referrals to support family needs.
- Conducted weekly home visits to assess needs.
- Helped to educate parents and assisted with educational planning and decision making for children.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Implemented developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for children, creating positive, and safe learning environments.
- Maintained records of client care by documenting visits, interviews and preparing reports of evaluations and observations.
Support Group Facilitator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2020.10 - 2021.02
- Developed curriculum centered around Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors for participants of Nurse-Family Partnership and Mabel Morris Family Home Visiting programs as direct response to request for additional support during peak of COVID-19 pandemic.
- Used diverse teaching materials and motivational approaches to reduce learning gaps and inform parents.
- Maintained positive, comforting environment that felt safe and inviting to clients.
- Collected data on program efficacy through data analysis and implemented solutions for improvement.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA05.2025
Certificate of Completion - ACTT Facilitator
Black Coalition For Safe Motherhood
Virtual01.2024
Certificate of Achievement - Community Health Worker
Public Health Management Corporation CHW Core
Virtual10.2023
Certificate of Completion - Circle of Security Positive Parenting Facilitator
Circle of Security International
Virtual06.2023
Certificate of Completion - Domestic Violence Advocate
PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LHS)
Philadelphia, PA04.2023
Strength-Based Family Worker Credential - Health And Human Services
Temple University
Harrisburg, PA08.2021
Associate of Science Degree - Health and Human Services
Ultimate Medical Academy
Clearwater, FL07.2021
Certificate of Completion For The Manufacturing Career Accelerator Program (MCAP) - Engineering Technology
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA06.2021
PA State Certification : Customer Service - Business Communications
Educational Data Systems Inc. (EDSI)
Philadelphia, PA05.2021
Skills
- Case Management
- Resource Coordination
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Database Maintenance
- Community Engagement
Affiliations
- AmeriCorps
- National Black Doulas Association
- Philadelphia United for Change Coalition
- PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Timeline
AmeriCorps Volunteer
City Of Philadelphia
2023.10 - Current
Community-Based Doula
Maternity Care Coalition
2022.08 - Current
Community Health Resource Navigator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2021.11 - Current
After-School Program Leader
Congreso de Latinos Unidos
2021.10 - 2021.12
Special Events Coordinator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2021.03 - 2021.11
Support Group Facilitator
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
2020.10 - 2021.02
Licensed Zumbini Instructor
Zumbini by Zumba & Baby
2018.08 - Current
Early Childhood Education Home Visitor
Ummi Care
2003.10 - 2021.05
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Community College of Philadelphia
Certificate of Completion - ACTT Facilitator
Black Coalition For Safe Motherhood
Certificate of Achievement - Community Health Worker
Public Health Management Corporation CHW Core
Certificate of Completion - Circle of Security Positive Parenting Facilitator
Circle of Security International
Certificate of Completion - Domestic Violence Advocate
PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LHS)
Strength-Based Family Worker Credential - Health And Human Services
Temple University
Associate of Science Degree - Health and Human Services
Ultimate Medical Academy
Certificate of Completion For The Manufacturing Career Accelerator Program (MCAP) - Engineering Technology
Drexel University
PA State Certification : Customer Service - Business Communications
Educational Data Systems Inc. (EDSI)
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