Sewing, Quilting, bag making, working out, outdoor events and festivals, hiking, completed 12 marathons, 10k, 5k races from 2006-2017
SARA JOY COSTELLO
Kent,IL
Summary
Dynamic and flexible leader with a strong history of success, recognized for motivating teams with a positive attitude. Proficient in training staff and implementing structured approaches to manage day-to-day tasks like scheduling, planning, and customer service. Innovative and proactive, with a diplomatic communication style that fosters high levels of engagement and satisfaction, enhancing both team productivity and customer experience.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Manager
Sew Creative Threads
08.2022 - 04.2024
- Collaborate with the shop owner to develop marketing strategies and promotions to drive sales
- Maintain inventory levels and order supplies as needed
- Handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and ensure a positive shopping experience
- Assist with sales transactions, cash handling, and daily financial reporting
- Assisted customers with fabric selection
- Proficient in sewing machine and serger operation specifically Pfaff and Husqvarna brands
- Strong communication with the owner
- Attended a convention in Chicago to learn about the Ditto, Pfaff Admire Air 7000, and the Husqvarna Amber Air S600 in 2022 with the owner
- Oversee day to day functioning of Sew Creative Threads
- Organize and assist with arranging for Kimberbell events and other special events
- Bring smiles and laughter to customers during events and the day-to-day services
- Assist/teach customers with sewing skills and learning the functions of their sewing/embroidery and sergers.
Activities Director
Michiana Behavioral Health
04.2016 - 06.2017
- Worked at UHS (Universal Health Systems) in a locked secured residential and acute facility for individuals ages 5-90 to guide in leisure activities instead of harmful behavior
- Planned, organized, facilitated Recreation Therapy groups daily
- Attended multidisciplinary treatment team meetings to discuss patient progress
- Completed necessary documentation
- Completed evaluations for employees in the Activity department
- Reorganized the participation space to make the space more user-friendly from the previous Activity Director.
Recreation Therapist/Service Excellence Facilitator
Midwest/South Shore Academy
03.2013 - 04.2016
- Worked at UHS in a lock-secured residential unit for individuals with self-harm and suicidal ideations
- Planned, organized, and facilitated Recreation Therapy groups daily to assist in the development of the physical, cognitive, build self-awareness, team building, and learn about leisure opportunities
- Planned, organized, and facilitated outings to places such as Barker Mansion, bowling, Coffee Creek, Brauer Art Museum a VU and several other places to practice DBT skills clients were learning and to learn appropriate etiquette, learn about new opportunities in the community
- Organized Christmas gifts for all clients in need at both facilities including purchasing, wrapping and distributing for residents
- Completed all necessary documentation for the facility needs
- Organized weekly programming for the BHW's to facilitate
- Attended training to be a Service Excellence Facilitator for the facility
- Assisted residents with opportunities to give back to the community by volunteering at a local food pantry interacting with others in a safe environment.
Recreation Therapist/Coordinator
Christian Haven
11.2010 - 03.2013
- Developed, planned, implemented, and facilitated Therapeutic Recreation activities for 10-70 residents ranging in ages from 7-18 in a lock secured residential treatment facility
- Provided 5-7 groups a week consisting of but not limited to team-building, self-expressive, leisure education, and community reintegration to meet needs of residents
- Created Activity/Group books for the YCS (Youth Care Specialists) staff to utilize to conduct groups when I wasn't available as we had limited Recreation Therapists
- Distributed schedules for staff, gym rotation, and swimming pool usage monthly
- Completed the documentation daily, weekly, and monthly including court reports or residents' progress
- Completed assessments and discharge summaries when needed
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities in a wide variety of recreation activities appropriate in working with residential adolescents including sports, group games, arts, crafts, music, outdoor activities, and adventure-based activities, environmental activities, and aquatics
- Developed, implemented, and evaluated a system to maintain clothing needs for the residents
- Managed petty cash drawer and distributed funds as needed for weekly allowances for the residents
- Ordered and purchased supplies, took residents on clothing vouchers, and turned in receipts weekly
- Communicated with treatment team consisting of Therapist, Nurse, Teacher, Tea Leader, and Youth Care Specialists (YCS)
- Established a therapeutic rapport with the residents and collaborative relationship with the interdisciplinary team
- Supervised residents daily, assisted residents with daily living skills, assisted residents with conflict resolution and assisted with TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) holds.
Recreation Therapist/Coordinator
Campagna Academy/ITPI
08.2008 - 11.2010
- The duties below apply to this position as well due to being affiliated with the same company
- ITPI is the program that began Campagna Academy last August
- Hired and Trained new Recreation Therapists
- Completed the Recreation Therapy yearly budget and purchased new equipment and supplies for the company
- Knowledge of Harmony and Mindlink a web-based site used for documentation and for MRO billing
- Guided new YCS staff of program expectations
- Contacted maintenance about on grounds repairs such as the team and ropes course
- Attended necessary trainings.
Recreation Therapist
Christian Haven Inc./ITPI
12.2000 - 08.2008
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities in a wide variety of recreation activities appropriate in working with residential adolescents including sports, group games, arts, crafts, music, outdoor activities, and adventure-based activities, environmental activities, and aquatics
- Developed, planned, implemented, and facilitated Therapeutic Recreation activities for 10-70 residents ranging in ages from 7-18 in a lock secured residential treatment facility
- Provided 7-11 groups a week consisting of but not limited to team-building, self-expressive, leisure education, and community reintegration to meet needs of residents
- Completed documentation daily, weekly, and monthly including court reports or residents' progress
- Completed assessments and discharge summaries when needed
- Ordered and purchased supplies, took residents on clothing vouchers, and tuned in receipts weekly
- Trained Recreation Therapist upon hire
- Organized community outings weekly, special outings monthly and provided transportation for pass
- Comfortable driving a 15 passenger van
- Communicated with treatment team consisting of Therapist, Nurse, Teacher, Team Leaders, and Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT)
- Supervised residents daily, assisted residents with daily living skills, assisted residents with conflict resolution and assisted with TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) holds.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Therapeutic Recreation
05.2000
Associate of Science - General Studies
05.1998
Skills
- Proofreading
- Office Administration
- Facilities Management
- Document Management
- Workplace Safety
- Verbal Communication
- Calendar Management
- Scheduling appointments
- File Organization
- Budget Tracking
Professional Memberships
- Professional Memberships, CTRS by NCTRC as of May 2001-2018, Lifeguard by the American Red Cross
Interests
Timeline
Assistant Manager - Sew Creative Threads
08.2022 - 04.2024
Activities Director - Michiana Behavioral Health
04.2016 - 06.2017
Recreation Therapist/Service Excellence Facilitator - Midwest/South Shore Academy
03.2013 - 04.2016
Recreation Therapist/Coordinator - Christian Haven
11.2010 - 03.2013
Recreation Therapist/Coordinator - Campagna Academy/ITPI
08.2008 - 11.2010
Recreation Therapist - Christian Haven Inc./ITPI
12.2000 - 08.2008
Illinois State University - Bachelor of Science, Therapeutic Recreation
Highland Community College - Associate of Science, General Studies
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