Sony Harrison-Avalos

-Serve as Special Staff Officer providing direct oversight of the First Marine Regiment’s Family Readiness Program, supporting over 2,000 service members and their families.
-Deliver comprehensive readiness support services, ensuring military personnel and families are equipped for deployment-related challenges.
-Minimized logistical errors through strategic transportation planning and precise inventory management.
-Enhanced operational efficiency by streamlining coordination workflows and introducing improved organizational systems.
-Oversaw project timelines to ensure successful completion of readiness initiatives, meeting all milestones and deadlines.
-Fostered team collaboration and productivity through consistent communication and progress reporting.
-Draft and deliver speeches, policy letters, training briefs, and strategic communications to service members and families, promoting program awareness and resource accessibility.

Served as a key advisor to battalion leadership on matters concerning deployment and family readiness for over 1,000 Marines and their families.

Executed and managed the unit’s Deployment Readiness Program, ensuring seamless delivery of resources, training, and communication in alignment with Marine Corps policy.

Coordinated pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment support initiatives to enhance operational preparedness and family resilience.

Developed and distributed strategic communications, including policy letters, informational briefs, and newsletters to maintain consistent engagement with families.

Drafted and delivered official speeches, training presentations, and command briefs to service members, spouses, and extended family networks.

Strengthened family readiness through partnership with base agencies, community organizations, and support networks to ensure access to comprehensive resources.

Streamlined logistics coordination by managing transportation schedules, event planning, and inventory control for unit support operations.

Increased program efficiency by introducing improved tracking systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process documentation.

Maintained accurate and confidential records of family contact information and support services in compliance with USMC policies.

Promoted a culture of collaboration by facilitating volunteer training and encouraging command team engagement in readiness activities.

Provided strategic and operational leadership for a nonprofit organization serving military families, overseeing daily operations, financial management, and community outreach.

Directed cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact programs focused on strengthening military families through child development, emergency support, and community wellness services.

Managed budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal oversight of organizational funds, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and nonprofit financial best practices.

Developed and implemented organizational policies, strategic initiatives, and operational procedures to drive program efficiency and organizational growth.

Acted as primary liaison between ASYMCA, military leadership, community partners, and donors to enhance visibility and support for mission-driven services.

Spearheaded fundraising efforts, donor engagement strategies, and grant development to support long-term sustainability and resource expansion.

Oversaw hiring, training, and supervision of staff and volunteers, cultivating a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.

Led crisis response planning and program adaptation during high-demand periods, including emergency deployments and community crises.

Coordinated facility operations, vendor relations, and compliance with health, safety, and licensing regulations for youth and family programming.

Delivered regular reports to the Board of Management, providing updates on program metrics, financial status, and strategic outcomes.

Served as the primary advisor to command on family readiness matters, directly supporting over 1,200 Marines, Sailors, and their families.

Designed and executed comprehensive family readiness programs that aligned with Marine Corps policy and addressed the unique needs of aviation personnel and their dependents.

Planned and facilitated deployment briefs, family workshops, and resiliency training to enhance readiness and support overall mission success.

Maintained consistent communication with families through newsletters, social media, phone outreach, and official updates to ensure access to resources and support services.

Collaborated with installation agencies, including Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and local nonprofits, to coordinate services such as financial counseling, childcare, and crisis support.

Developed standard operating procedures and readiness checklists to streamline unit preparedness and improve operational continuity.

Supported casualty response planning and family notification protocols in coordination with command and base leadership.

Recruited, trained, and supervised Family Readiness Command Team Volunteers to expand program reach and support network.

Conducted needs assessments and feedback surveys to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Promoted a culture of readiness, resilience, and connection within the squadron community through events, briefings, and ongoing engagement efforts.

• Served as a Special Staff Officer with direct oversight of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374’s Family Readiness Program
• My duties include but are not limited to providing Family Readiness support services to over 600 military personnel as well as their families.
• Improved overall department efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new policies.
• Enhanced communication between team members by organizing regular meetings and fostering open dialogue.
• Boosted team morale through recognition programs, resulting in higher productivity levels.
• Delivered high-quality training programs, enhancing personnel skill sets and contributing to professional development efforts.

• Coordinated installation wide events for Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
• Helped establish budgets for proposed events
• Managing details like choosing the event location, arranging the schedule, selecting speakers/entertainment, choosing vendors, selecting menus, procuring accommodations, creating and distributing marketing materials (invitations, flyers, advertisements,), and arranging transportation for attendees
• Handled government contracts in cooperation with the Installation Contracting and Procurement office
• It was also my duty to foster strong relationships across the various program assets within MCCS.

• Upsilon Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Charter Member

• Honoree of CSU General Education

• Black Student Union Member