Sara Tolpin
Quincy,US
Summary
Accomplished social services professional with over 5 years of experience in housing stability, community health, and crisis intervention. Demonstrates strong leadership and interpersonal skills, effectively managing case loads and coordinating programs to support at-risk populations. Proficient in utilizing tools like Salesforce and Microsoft Office, with a commitment to fostering community partnerships and enhancing client outcomes.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
HOUSING COUNSELOR
Action for Boston Community Development – Office of Housing Stability
Boston
04.2024 - 02.2026
- Conducted comprehensive intakes and housing assessments for at-risk and homeless individuals and families.
- Provided individualized housing counseling, referrals, and biweekly support until permanent housing is secured.
- Delivered quarterly stabilization services for up to 12 months to support long-term housing retention.
- Managed a caseload of up to 30 active at-risk households and 15 stabilization clients, ensuring timely and effective case management.
- Responded promptly to Emergency Assistance and Homelessness Prevention referrals within mandated timeframes.
- Assisted clients with securing emergency shelter and completing housing applications, including transport coordination when necessary.
- Connected clients to wraparound support services including childcare, job training, financial literacy, fuel assistance, and legal aid.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date case records and ensure compliance with agency data entry protocols and reporting standards.
- Participated in weekly case reviews and contribute to the development of coordinated care plans.
ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR MA YOUNG PEOPLE IN RECOVERY
Bay State Community Services
02.2023 - 11.2023
- Provided guidance and support to the young adult regional peer recovery specialists by supervising and guiding staff with implementation of activities, groups, events and trainings.
- Utilized multiple social media platforms to outreach to young adults throughout the state.
- Completed data input and reporting of peers utilizing the program.
- Assisted the program director in operationalizing the required components of the contract.
- Assisted with the implementation of a membership module to track and monitor participation.
- Developed social media campaigns to reach the young adult recovery population.
- Outreached to community providers in order to build relationships with recovery-related services.
COMMUNITY HEALTH NAVIGATOR
Vinfen
09.2022 - 02.2023
- Conducted initial and ongoing risk assessment; personal crisis management plans, relapse prevention and harm reduction strategies with members who have been identified as behaviorally complex in collaboration with team clinicians.
- Coordinated the development, implementation, and ongoing review of the care plan.
- Made referrals to any community or social services that aligned with the client’s needs and goals.
- Collaborated and communicated with the client’s other medical and behavioral health providers regarding changes in services, hospitalizations, and other care plan goals.
OVERNIGHT OUTREACH VAN COUNSELOR
Pine Street Inn
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Provided crisis intervention and fundamental services (food and blankets) to the unsheltered homeless population in Boston.
- Helped the unsheltered homeless become aware of shelter alternatives and other available services through crisis intervention and counseling.
- Acted as a resource to police, the public, and other agencies in providing outreach services.
- Recorded data from each contact in the daily log and on the program statistic sheets.
TRIAGE SPECIALIST
Pine Street Inn
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Engaged with new guests entering shelter for the first time & guests returning who have been out of the shelter for at least 30 days at the front door to explore housing alternatives to shelter, which included using any resources available to develop creative resolutions to prevent someone from staying in emergency shelter.
- Used Clarity database to collect information and complete assessments including guest’s homeless history, background information, and goals in order to assess next steps for the guest.
- Helped guests with services in order to move forward with their housing goals, including assisting with housing applications, assistance with career services, connecting the guest with other working professionals, and replacing vital documents.
Education
MASTER OF ARTS - APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA05-2025
BACHELOR OF ARTS - SOCIOLOGY, MINOR IN GENDER STUDIES
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA05-2020
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA - undefined
Milford High School
Milford, MA06-2016
Skills
- Crisis Intervention (Experienced)
- Case Management (Experienced)
- Microsoft Office (Expert)
- Salesforce (Experienced)
- Clarity (Experienced)
- Stata (Experienced)
- RStudio (Experienced)
- Leadership (Experienced)
- Time Management (Experienced)
- Content Creation (Experienced)
- CPR
- First Aid
- Narcan Administration
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Emerging Scholars Program Member (2019-2020)
- Inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta - International Honor Society of Sociology (2019)
Timeline
HOUSING COUNSELOR
Action for Boston Community Development – Office of Housing Stability
04.2024 - 02.2026
ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR MA YOUNG PEOPLE IN RECOVERY
Bay State Community Services
02.2023 - 11.2023
COMMUNITY HEALTH NAVIGATOR
Vinfen
09.2022 - 02.2023
OVERNIGHT OUTREACH VAN COUNSELOR
Pine Street Inn
09.2021 - 09.2022
TRIAGE SPECIALIST
Pine Street Inn
09.2021 - 09.2022
MASTER OF ARTS - APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
University of Massachusetts-Boston
BACHELOR OF ARTS - SOCIOLOGY, MINOR IN GENDER STUDIES
University of Massachusetts Lowell
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA - undefined
Milford High School