Tahara Samuel
Boston,USA
Summary
Experienced with strategic planning, resource allocation, and project management. Utilizes data-driven methodologies to optimize workflows and ensure timely project completion. Track record of fostering team collaboration and maintaining high standards in dynamic environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Therapeutic Mentor
PYRAMID BUILDERS COUNSELING SERVICES
Boston, MA
09.2017 - 09.2020
- Community Support Worker, Therapeutic Mentor, and In Home Therapy
- Support clinician by creating and initiating coping mechanisms
Community Planning Manager (Promotion)
Madison Park Development Corporation
Roxbury, MA
07.2022 - 05.2025
- -Develop and implement work plans to meet program outcomes in compliance with government contracts and foundation grants that promote health equity and community wellness, In partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission
- Managed Roxbury in Motion, a Massachusetts Department of Public Health-funded community-centered project focused on increasing and promoting opportunities for healthy food access and outdoor physical activity for Roxbury residents
- Worked cohesively with city departments, including the Boston Transportation Department, the Boston Public Works Department, Boston Parks Department, City of Boston Arts and Culture Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and stability to advance the Roxbury in Motion objectives
- Attended quarterly state-wide Mass in Motion meetings located in central Massachusetts, as well as quarterly regional meetings in the greater Boston region
- Built coalitions and develop partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and neighborhood residents to develop advocacy strategies for Roxbury in Motion
- In partnership with MPDC’s Real Estate Staff, co-lead the Lower Roxbury Community Coalition, including coordinating and facilitating monthly resident coalition meetings and developing resident leadership structures.
- Supported production of quarterly newsletters and as-needed email blasts
- Wrote and submitted monthly and quarterly reports for internal and contract-related projects
- Supported development and review of the Health Equity & Wellness initiative's yearly budget
- Worked with the Director of Community Action Grants and Evaluation to develop ideas and proposals for new grant opportunities
- Managed the Peer Health Leader Program to develop resident leaders and implement health promotion projects/events in our housing properties
- Worked in partnership with the resident service coordinators and resident leaders at the MPDC housing developments to organize and engage residents in both programming and advocacy work
- Worked in partnership with the Resident and Civic Engagement Manager to organize and engage residents in both programming and advocacy work
- Worked collaboratively with the Health Equity & Wellness Organizer to ensure cohesiveness and partnership across all projects
- Managed and facilitated walking tours of redesign project ideas presented from BPDA and BTD
- Created and facilitated a Young Ladies Empowerment Group, Women With Purpose Group
- Facilitated the B2 HUB from inception
- Created and sustained programming and events to support community redesign.
- Developed comprehensive project plans to streamline development processes and enhance operational efficiency.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure the timely execution of strategic initiatives and project milestones.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices for project management and planning principles, fostering professional growth.
- Led stakeholder meetings to communicate project progress, gather feedback, and adjust plans as necessary.
- Established performance metrics to evaluate project success and drive continuous improvement in planning activities.
- Managed budgeting processes for multiple projects, ensuring alignment with organizational financial objectives and constraints.
- Coordinated closely with operations teams to ensure seamless integration between project planning stages and actual implementation activities.
- Evaluated project performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes.
- Facilitated strong relationships with clients, addressing concerns promptly and effectively managing expectations.
Boston Trauma Response team
JRI
Boston, MA
12.2017 - 12.2023
- Families and immediate friends, community and family in vicinity of a homicide scene to connect them mentally, emotionally, and physically with wrap around services to cope with loss and effects of tragedy.
Senior Housing Specialist
Aspire Health Alliance
Braintree, MA
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Support ACCS individuals with stabilizing and finding stable housing
- Recertifications of section 8 subsidies and DMH RSP subsidies
- Support housing authorities and individuals as an advocate
- Comply with DMH rules
- Comply with Fair Housing and HUD regulations
- DMH licensing
- Housing inspections
- Basic living skills training
Community Support Coordinator
Madison Park Development Corporation
Boston, MA
02.2021 - 07.2022
- Recruit and connect residents to VIP(Village in Progress) and NTT(Neighborhood Trauma Team) coalition and activities.
- Support Block Captains (individuals that live in the community who advocate for residents and members of the community) with rebuilding neighborhood connection between residents and City resources.
- Assist with rebuilding resident engagement around coalitions, and assist with VIP and NTT with related meetings and/or activities.
- Actively recruit resident volunteers for various outreach projects and activity planning Building relationships with residents that reside in their designated area
- Supervised up to 12 youth interns teaching advocacy, community support and event planning
- Created events for the community that supported healthy healing, celebration, connectivity and annual celebrations for over 250 plus.
- Facilitated the B2 Hub of community partners to provide wrap around services for those affected by substance challenges and mental health
- Provided knowledge and access to formal and informal resources in the community on a variety of services such as youth development, trauma awareness and response, violence prevention and mental and behavioral health services
- Actively supported and worked along with other community agencies and organizations that provide resources to residents.
- Attended in trainings prepared by BPHC
- Assisted residents with neighborhood outreach activities as assigned Identify youth and families disconnected from these services.
- Attend all VIP and NTT meetings and Activities
Therapeutic Mentor
09.2016 - 12.2021
- Support individuals under the age of 18 cope with developmental challenges. Create and initiate coping strategies to support young people in their community. Engage with school officials to support behavioral challenges that happen during educational hours. Team with family to find effective skills to assist individual while in the home setting. Document all engagements with individuals.
CSP Worker
09.2016 - 12.2020
- Support individuals that are in recovery or released from incarceration by assisting them with learning how to navigate, advocate and assess their basic needs in their community. Goals are created by individuals and resources, connections, as well as action plans are created by CSP Worker. Create safety plans and bio psychosocial assessments. Maintain contact with community providers for wrap around services. Support individuals with emotional and mental challenges with strategic and creative techniques. Document all interactions with individuals.
Lead Housing Counselor/Office Manager
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Boston, MA
12.2017 - 02.2020
- Provide general and specialized housing assistance and support for the Housing Department. Triage phone cases from various sources including. Maintain a case load of at least 20 client a month needing assistance with addressing barriers to sustaining or obtaining housing; maintain files on another 20 with less barriers but still in need of assistance (not exceeding 40 multi-level cases a month). Conduct intake & assessments on clients referred and or walking into the housing department. Point of contact for housing related inquires. Assist clients with the application process, obtaining housing and other housing resources. Run a monthly housing information/search group. Provide community training and outreach activities for ABCD neighborhood sites, hospitals, schools and community centers requesting housing search guidance and training. Refer clients to resources to help sustain housing i.e.: childcare, education, job-training, financial literacy, fuel assistance, weatherization, food, furniture, clothing, transportation, legal referrals, medical care, counseling, parenting skills and other services in their community which impact on their ability to obtain or maintain permanent housing. Maintain weekly duty log. Participate in weekly case reviews. Provide weekly and monthly reports. Supervise interns and volunteers. Perform managerial related duties as assigned by director. Oversee office day to day running needs. Support staff training and client challenges. Support hiring process of new staff.
In Home Therapy
09.2016 - 12.2017
- For individuals. Document therapeutic challenges. Engage in community activities to support individuals with social goals. Create engagement activities for families to interact and cope with individuals challenges.
Employment Specialist (Promotion)
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Boston, MA
06.2016 - 12.2017
- Identify and prioritize participant goals, personal strengths, needs, and barriers to obtain meaningful employment. Complete, periodic reviews and update the individual career plans for each participant. Developed tools and resources for referral services, and maintained relationships with employment partners and community stakeholders that lead to meaningful employment placements. Maintained all required documentation and provided data to the Program Manager via database and weekly presentations on outcomes. Facilitated case conferences around participant goals and challenges with community partners. Facilitated case conferences around participant goals and challenges with community partners. Developed systems to address the employment needs of the participants. Lead employment workshops to properly prepare participants for job search, covering such topics as: mock interviews, networking, resume writing, job search techniques, dress for success, hygiene, manner, attitude, and assessed participant's interview skills and address deficiencies. Support youth and families with homelessness prevention and identifying housing opportunity programs. Support young people 18+ in finding community support for housing, basic needs and mental health.
Case Manager
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Boston, MA
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Provided group workshops to more the 70 youth to improve academic achievement, social and emotional skills, identity, and sense of ownership for themselves and their community. Played a critical role in diverting youth from the juvenile justice system to prevent recidivism and new arrest through creating and maintaining relationships with community resources to leverage opportunities and provided intensive case management to participants. Performed and executed referrals for youth challenged with substance use dependencies. Assisted in designing and implementing culturally competent and developmentally appropriate educational and outreach programs, using both group and individual instruction. Participate in weekly case management meetings with other supports for a wrap around system. Support homeless youth ages 18-24 find adequate housing, programs and shelters. Supported youth in applying for government funded programs to support their basic needs.
Case Manager
Jewish Family and Children Services
Waltham, MA
04.2013 - 04.2015
- Managed Individual Service Plan meetings, HCP appointments, and community engagements. Supported vocational training for people with disabilities. Attended Staff meetings, Host Client house meeting, and group dinners. Managed team building trainings and assisted in client ADL maintenance
- . Completed Daily logs, Implemented Individual Service Plan Goals, collected Individual Service Plan data, researched and implemented creative ways to teach based on individual challenges. Transitioned residents into the community to live independently, job developed and managed wrap around services. Supported clients with applying for government programs during transitional living: DMH, BPH, DTA.
Case Manager
Brigid’s Crossing
Lowell, MA
02.2010 - 05.2010
- Implemented The Community Support Skill Standards. Transported clients to and from designated areas
- . Completed assessments. Empowered clients to engage in community and attain their high school diplomas as well as vocational support. Supported young mothers in applying and seeking housing programs and support. Supported young mothers with applying and understanding government programs to fulfill the basic needs of their babies and themselves: housing, SNAP, WIC, and PCP/ Specialty appointments.
Social Work Intern
Cambridge Family and Child Services
Cambridge, MA
04.2009 - 09.2009
- Implemented weekly treatment plans
- . Assisted foster parents in the community to better service the children. Worked with Department of Family and Child Services
- . Transported clients to designated areas
- . Recruited foster parents, and assisted in MAPP training.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Southern New Hampshire University - DUET
Boston, MA05-2026
Associates in Human Services - Human Services
Middlesex Community College
Lowell, MA05.2010
Skills
- Training
- CPR
- Microsoft Office
- Recruiting
- Addiction Counseling
- Social Work
- PTSD Care
- Case Management
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Section 8
- Behavioral Therapy
- Fair Housing Regulations
- Crisis Intervention
- Intake Experience
- Conflict Management
- Self-care techniques
- Emotional regulation
- Boundaries establishment
- Behavioral management
- Social skills training
- Motivational interviewing
- Multicultural competence
- Family dynamics support
- Collaborative planning
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Root Cause Analysis
- Asset Mapping
- Trauma informed care
- Restorative Justice Practices
Certification
- Fair Housing Specialist August 2020 to August 2025
- CBT and DBT 2025
- COS 2023
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- DEIJB
- Suicide Prevention
- Stop the Bleed
- Housing Counselor 2023
Timeline
Community Planning Manager (Promotion)
Madison Park Development Corporation
07.2022 - 05.2025
Senior Housing Specialist
Aspire Health Alliance
11.2021 - 11.2022
Community Support Coordinator
Madison Park Development Corporation
02.2021 - 07.2022
Boston Trauma Response team
JRI
12.2017 - 12.2023
Lead Housing Counselor/Office Manager
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
12.2017 - 02.2020
Therapeutic Mentor
PYRAMID BUILDERS COUNSELING SERVICES
09.2017 - 09.2020
Therapeutic Mentor
09.2016 - 12.2021
CSP Worker
09.2016 - 12.2020
In Home Therapy
09.2016 - 12.2017
Employment Specialist (Promotion)
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
06.2016 - 12.2017
Case Manager
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
04.2015 - 06.2016
Case Manager
Jewish Family and Children Services
04.2013 - 04.2015
Case Manager
Brigid’s Crossing
02.2010 - 05.2010
Social Work Intern
Cambridge Family and Child Services
04.2009 - 09.2009
Associates in Human Services - Human Services
Middlesex Community College
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Southern New Hampshire University - DUET
Additional Information
- Expert in Microsoft Office
- Certificate in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Certificate Cognitive behavioral Techniques Training
- CPR/ First Aide Certified