Sarah Mendez
Thousand Oaks,CA
Summary
Dedicated to justice, empowerment and the advancement of equity and safety in our communities, I have pursued roles that bridge legal expertise with social impact. Committed to fostering positive change, meaningful connections, and innovative, effective practices and policies, I'm driven to contribute my multifaceted background to impactful projects and collaborations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Restorative Justice Facilitator "Harm to Healing"
Interface Children and Family Services
Camarillo, CA
08.2022 - Current
- Orchestrated restorative justice conferences, convening youth offenders, victims, and relevant stakeholders to address the consequences of offenses, fostering healing, reconciliation, and community reintegration.
- Mentored, guided, and supervised justice-involved youths within the program, utilizing collaborative methods to provide instruction and monitor progress, promoting personal development and rehabilitation.
- Established and nurtured partnerships with social service agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and law enforcement.
- Generated comprehensive reports and utilized data analytics to extract insights into program performance metrics and operational benchmarks, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and program enhancement.
- Applied strategic communication techniques and interpersonal skills to cultivate and sustain partnerships with stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts and ensuring program sustainability and growth.
- Presented compelling narratives and program achievements at public forums and conferences, effectively communicating program objectives and outcomes to diverse audiences.
- Conducted rigorous data analysis to identify trends and forecast policy implications, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based practices in justice-involved community service.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through robust data collection methods and participant feedback mechanisms, monitoring outcomes to drive program refinement and participant success.
Program Coordinator "Reducing Risk for Girls"
Interface Children and Family Services
Camarillo, CA
08.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded the development and execution of a holistic prevention and early intervention program designed specifically for incarcerated girls at the Ventura County Juvenile Detention Facility.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to pinpoint individual risk factors and needs, guiding the tailoring of program interventions to address specific challenges and promote positive development.
- Provided personalized counseling sessions, both individually and in group settings, utilizing evidence-based approaches to foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and skill-building among program participants.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions and strategies meticulously crafted to reduce recidivism rates and cultivate positive outcomes for girls navigating the juvenile justice system.
- Orchestrated program activities in alignment with identified needs and goals, ensuring a structured and supportive environment conducive to personal growth and rehabilitation.
- Produced detailed reports, financial statements, and records documenting program activities, progress, and outcomes, delivering critical insights to management for informed decision-making and program refinement.
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program Tutor
GEO Reentry Services
Ventura, CA
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Offered dedicated academic support to probation students currently enrolled in a college course focusing on Courts and Corrections, ensuring their comprehension and academic success through personalized guidance and assistance.
- Cultivated cooperative and collaborative partnerships with community representatives, probation officers, and law enforcement personnel, leveraging collective expertise and resources to optimize program effectiveness and community engagement.
- Conducted regular visits within the offender community, fostering positive and supportive relationships while building trust and rapport with program participants, enhancing their sense of belonging and commitment.
- Collaborated within a dynamic team environment to promote, plan, and coordinate communication materials, contributing to cohesive and impactful outreach initiatives aimed at promoting program awareness and engagement within the community.
Student Worker
Ventura County District Attorney
Ventura, CA
12.2020 - 03.2022
- Delivered comprehensive training sessions on office procedures and policies to new employees, ensuring a proficient onboarding process.
- Systematized legal documents within government filing systems and databases, ensuring efficient organization and accessibility.
- Implemented electronic scanning and archival procedures for files and records, reducing paper usage and enhancing data security.
- Digitized information from hard copies into digital databases, systematically restructuring data formats for enhanced accessibility and efficiency.
- Addressed daily inquiries and requests within stipulated timeframes, maintaining prompt responsiveness to meet critical deadlines and obligations.
Investigative Assistant
Ventura County Public Defender
Ventura, CA
06.2018 - 02.2020
- Conducted comprehensive research, interviews, and observations to gather information and formulate perspectives on diverse news subjects, ensuring accuracy and depth in reporting.
- Maintained meticulous case logs, monitoring and tracking progress to facilitate case management and timely completion.
- Demonstrated proficiency in researching background information for stories, ensuring the provision of thorough and accurate information for journalistic endeavors.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence meticulously for trial, contributing to the presentation of legal arguments.
- Proficiently processed closing and transactional documents, ensuring adherence to legal standards and facilitating smooth review procedures.
- Engaged in client and attorney meetings, actively participating in detailed discussions about case specifics and evidence, contributing valuable insights.
- Proactively liaised with witnesses, scheduling interviews and evaluations efficiently to bolster case preparations.
- Effectively managed law office activities, including delivering subpoenas and coordinating tasks, ensuring seamless operations within the legal framework.
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Criminology
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Minor in Public Policy
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA05.2021
Skills
- Program Development/Coordination
- Community Integration/Outreach
- Conflict Resolution
- Program Analysis
- Training & Development
- Collaborative Partnerships
- Reporting and Documentation
- Restorative Justice
- Social Justice Advocacy
- Partnership Development
- Service Coordination
- Policy evaluation
- Research oversight
Certification
- Seeking Safety Training 2023
"Seeking Safety" program, which is an evidence-based treatment approach. This training is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals grappling with trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance misuse. "Seeking Safety" provides a structured and effective framework for addressing these interconnected issues, ultimately guiding individuals toward a path of healing and recovery.
- YCRC Conflict Resolution Training 2023
- Window Between Worlds Training 2023
The training from A Window Between Worlds embraces a trauma-informed approach, acknowledging that trauma's effects are widespread and interconnected within individuals, families, and communities. The goal of the training is to provide a resource: a safe space for art creation that empowers individuals and communities in their healing journey.
Timeline
Restorative Justice Facilitator "Harm to Healing"
Interface Children and Family Services
08.2022 - Current
Program Coordinator "Reducing Risk for Girls"
Interface Children and Family Services
08.2022 - Current
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program Tutor
GEO Reentry Services
01.2022 - 05.2022
Student Worker
Ventura County District Attorney
12.2020 - 03.2022
Investigative Assistant
Ventura County Public Defender
06.2018 - 02.2020
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Criminology
California Lutheran University
Bachelor of Science - Minor in Public Policy
California Lutheran University
- Seeking Safety Training 2023
"Seeking Safety" program, which is an evidence-based treatment approach. This training is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals grappling with trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance misuse. "Seeking Safety" provides a structured and effective framework for addressing these interconnected issues, ultimately guiding individuals toward a path of healing and recovery.
- YCRC Conflict Resolution Training 2023
- Window Between Worlds Training 2023
The training from A Window Between Worlds embraces a trauma-informed approach, acknowledging that trauma's effects are widespread and interconnected within individuals, families, and communities. The goal of the training is to provide a resource: a safe space for art creation that empowers individuals and communities in their healing journey.
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